Gloria Jean Walker Shippy, age 75, died at the Hospice House in Rapid City on January 4, 2025.

She was born in Tyndal, South Dakota, on July 22, 1949. Shortly after, her family moved to Custer, South Dakota, until her parents divorced. Gloria and her mother, Velma, then moved to Rapid City. Gloria's mother remarried and they lived in Germany for two years, after which they returned to Rapid City where Gloria graduated from Rapid City High School in 1967.

After Gloria completed cosmetology school, she worked at her mother's Powder Puff Beauty Salon in Rapid City until the murder of her mother by her stepfather, Ron Kolb. Gloria was only 18 years old. Eventually, she met and married Larry Shippy, in 1971, but divorced. In 1972, she moved to Gillette, Wyoming, and worked at several jobs, including night auditor at a motel, bookkeeper and office worker at Stockmen's Motors, secretary at Buck's Motor Company, and finally, animal control officer for Campbell County Sheriff's Department. Gloria loved animals and promoted animal control by participating in community events including fairs and trade shows. In addition, she regularly recorded radio programs about the care of animals in the community. She taught 4-H members how to train and show their dogs. Gloria showed her own dogs as well. She traveled throughout the region with her friend, Kay Bramson, showing her red and black chows, Big Foot and Bear, and her husky. She enjoyed horseback riding, starting in Custer with Lady, at a young age, and ending with big, black, beautiful BJ later in Gillette.

After working for about 20 years for the sheriff's department, Gloria turned to bus driving and retired as a driver for Powder River Transportation/Coach USA. Like her Walker ancestors, Gloria was a hard worker! Besides beauty school, Gloria either sought specialized training or taught herself the skills she needed to succeed in her career including Management Training for Animal Care & Control, Supervision, Basic Emergency Care, Leadership, and Power Communications Training to list a few. She served as county fair superintendent for 15 years; founder, president and held other offices of the Wyoming Association of Animal Control Office; and founded the Campbell County Humane Society. In 1985, after ten years of service, The Campbell County Sheriff's Department awarded a plaque in appreciation for her "dedicated and professional service. She was awarded Wyoming Association of Animal Control Officers "Officer of the Year" award in 1995.

She loved to work with her hands and explored many different crafts including calligraphy, quilling, cooking, ceramic painting, reading, photography, and scrapbooking. When she wrapped a gift, she made it look like a piece of art. Gloria loved to create special order, one of-a kind jewelry pieces for anyone interested. She met regularly with "The Beading Ladies," along with her friend, Nadine, to make a variety of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. She enjoyed to wearing her creations, along with one of her forty-plus wigs. She was a clothes horse, "dressing up" whenever the occasion presented itself.

Gloria also treasured her time with her Dear Friends, Matt and Kathy. They met every Sunday for brunch, took care of each other's dogs, and Matt used his handyman skills to help Gloria keep her home in Gillette functional. Gloria also worked at home shows, selling Lloyds of London, home decor and specialized cookware. She collected enough cookbooks and cooking magazines to stock a section of a library!

Gloria is preceded in death by her mother, Velma Kolb; her father, Robert Earl Walker; brother, Robert Pat Walker; Uncle Alvis Walker and Aunt MaryAnn Walker; stepmother, Kathleen Walker Marx, stepbrother Laurence (Larry) Cates, and stepsister Rita Cates Burg. She is survived by her step siblings, Ed (Lee) Cates, Sharon Cates Rovella, Terry Cates Gregson, David Cates, Sharyl Cates Thorson, Perry Cates, Loretta Cates Patton, and half-sister Barbara Walker Gonzales, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grand-nephews.

Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima in Hill City, SD with Christian Funeral Committal at 1:00 p.m., at Custer Cemetery in Custer, SD.