Gloria Jean (Shantz) Loken was born April 13, 1969, in Weatherford, OK, to Melvin Jesse and Marjorie Lorene (Miller) Shantz and passed away in her home Sunday, January 28, 2024, at the age of 54 years, 9 months and 15 days.

As a young child, Gloria attended Hydro Elementary and Junior High School in Hydro, OK. She then completed her high school education at Corn Bible Academy in Corn, OK. While there, she enjoyed being a part of the choir and basketball team.  After graduating from CBA, she attended Hesston College in Hesston, KS, before returning to Oklahoma to begin a career as a childcare provider.

Gloria began working for Kiddie Corral Daycare, later known as Stepping Stones Child Development Center, where she served and retired as Facility Director. During this career, her special connection to children was witnessed and appreciated by her coworkers and countless parents. Many of the kids that attended under Gloria's time there even returned with children of their own to entrust her with their care. Gloria took special interest in connecting with the "challenging" kids and was able to offer just the right guidance when others couldn't quite see what was needed. This might have been thanks to Gloria's ability to relate so well, since her personality could occasionally be described as "spunky" or "direct".

Gloria met her husband Tom Loken on a blind date and they were married March 18th, 1996. They built a family in Weatherford, OK, and a home north of town in the country near her childhood home. Gloria loved being in the area she grew up in and had a special connection with the fields and canyons surrounding her house. She enjoyed gardening, taking pictures of nature (namely birds and wildflowers), collecting giraffe figurines, hiking the canyon, and feeding her hummingbirds, which she looked forward to returning every spring.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 27 years, Tom Loken of their home in Thomas; three sons, Trevin Loken of Oklahoma City, Gatlin Loken of Broomfield, CO, and Morgan Loken of Thomas; her mother, Marjorie Shantz of Thomas; two sisters, Lynn King and husband, Joel of Campbell, CA and Anita Anderson and husband, Tommy Anderson; one brother, Tim Shantz and wife, Susan of Hydro; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Shantz; her infant brother, David Melvin; mother-in-law, Lowaine Gudmunsen; and her brother-in-law, Travis Gudmunsen.