Gloria Rachel Caroline (Buraas) Wilson

Gloria Rachel Caroline (Buraas) Wilson, 94, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial will follow at God’s Acres Cemetery in Clermont, Iowa.

Gloria Rachel Caroline (Buraas) Wilson was born February 9, 1932, in Postville, Iowa, to Bertina (Erickson) and Gilbert Buraas. She lived in Clermont, and after her father passed away when she was nine years old, Gloria and her mother took in boarders at their house on the edge of town to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Gloria was baptized and confirmed at West Clermont Lutheran Church and rejoiced in her lifelong Lutheran faith. Gloria and Bertina later moved into town, and she graduated with the Clermont High School Class of 1949. She was the last survivor of that close-knit group.

In high school, she met the love of her life, Donald Wilson, on a school trip to Chicago. He rode his Cushman scooter from Arlington to court her, and they were united in marriage on June 3, 1950. Don and Gloria lived in rural Linn and Cedar counties as they started their family, eventually settling in Cedar Rapids.

Gloria began working for JCPenney Co. in 1960 and was a key member of the accounting team for the Cedar Rapids Downtown store. She was the first member of the team to permanently move to the Westdale Mall location. Gloria was extremely proud of her 30 years at Penney’s and the friendships she made with the “Penney Girls.” Don and Gloria were longtime members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and, in their leisure time, enjoyed RVing and suppers out on Fridays with church and work friends. After Don passed, Gloria formed close friendships with her Naomi Circle members and “coffee group” and enjoyed traveling with friends and her sister-in-law, Novella.

Don and Gloria were blessed with five beautiful daughters, Becky Weston of Ft. Myers, Florida, Pam Musel of Alburnett, Iowa, DeElta (Peter) Fay of Adair, Iowa, Nanette (Tim) Waddilove of Cedar Rapids, and Julie (Greg) Morningstar of Cedar Rapids. Gloria’s mother eventually moved in with Don and Gloria, and they filled their little house on Carter Street with love.

Gloria is survived by her five daughters; grandchildren, Jason (Christy) Musel of Cedar Rapids, Katie (Rich) Magoon of Alburnett, Eric (Stephanie) Weston of Ft. Myers, Tiffany Fay of Adair, Bridget Waddilove of Cedar Rapids, Matt (Shannon) Waddilove of Argyle, New York, Grace Morningstar of Coralville, Iowa, and Mary Morningstar of Iowa City, Iowa; 12 loving great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; son-in-law, Steve Weston; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Edward Jr. and Loretta Wilson, Letha and Art Miller, Jean and Jim Ackley, Robert Wilson, and Areleta Wilson.

In later life, Gloria moved to Stoney Point Meadows and then The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. She and her family are very grateful to the caregivers for their tender care.

Gloria was a caring and nurturing mom and grandma to her family and friends of the family. She was a proud Norwegian who valued coffee breaks, sweet treats, and her lifetime JCP discount. Every visit left you feeling cared for and loved. May her legacy be a blessing.

Memorials may be directed to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 153 Cherry Hill Road NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405.