Gloria J. Young

Gloria Jean Young (Paneck, Mitchell), 78, of Des Moines, Iowa, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 5th, 2022.

Gloria was born in Affton (St. Louis), Missouri on November 8, 1943, to Harold and Rose Lee Paneck. She was preceded in death by her father Harold, mother Rose Lee, older brother Harold Paneck, younger sister Rita Barttelbort, sister-in-law Ruth Paneck, brother-in-law Ron Barttelbort, and sister-in-law Becky Paneck. Left to celebrate her life, cherish her memory, and mourn her passing are her son Tyler Mitchell (Heather), her daughter Linda Keairns (Brian), her grandchildren Audrey, Lillian, Heidi, Jonathan and Clara, her brother Jim Paneck of Columbia, Missouri, many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and several great-grandnieces. Many friends counted her among their ‘adopted’ family as well, including Sue Wagner, Kay Pitschmann, Jim Couture and family, Deb Stolze, Tommylee Chey and family, and many many more.

Gloria was first and foremost a loving, devoted, and generous mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and Christian.

She was also known by many as their favorite massage therapist, and she took great pride in being able to help others through their pain, whether physical or emotional.

Gloria was adventurous. She lived in Japan in the late 60’s, she traveled to Romania for missionary work, she loved going to balloon races in Indianola and even taking a ride up in one, organizing Easter egg hunts for her grandkids, taking them swimming and to the Carousel at Union Park, and having them over to bake and decorate their own birthday cakes with her every year, and bake and decorate cookies together. She attended soccer games, baseball games, dance recitals, choir concerts, theatre productions, a taekwondo black belt graduation for granddaughter Lillian, and middle school and high school graduations - always beaming with pride and encouraging her grandchildren in their activities and interests. She also enjoyed women’s retreats at church camps, as well as her bible study, small groups, and prayer groups. In September 2021, she spent a weekend at Hidden Acres Campground with granddaughter Heidi, where they went on a triple zip-line together. In addition to her family, her community in Christ was the center of her life. Gloria was an exceptional cook and loved to entertain friends and family at her home. She also loved her cat Bitsy, crocheting gifts for friends and family, and her sunroom and garden full of plants.

Funeral service will be held at Highland Park Community Church, 4101 Amherst Street, Des Moines, IA 50313, where Gloria was a faithful member, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. Family will gather for private visitation at 1:30 p.m. Masks will be required. Public visitation and a meal will follow the service. For those who wish to attend the service virtually, you may use this zoom link the day of the service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Gloria.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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