Gloria Hermanson
July 1944 – June 2022
Gloria Jeane Hermanson was born on July 19, 1944 in Williston, North Dakota. In 1958 the family moved to Helena, Montana. Three days after her graduation from Helena High School, Gloria was on a plane to Washington, D.C., for her new job with the FBI. She went on to work on Capitol Hill for the Senate Finance Committee.
After her time in Washington, Gloria returned to Helena where she worked for the Montana Aeronautics Commission, then moved to California where she taught adult education. She was drawn back to Montana again and worked with her father and brother in a farm machinery dealership, then formed her own business: Communications Strategies.
Gloria was married twice, first to Buzz McCabe and later to her high school sweetheart Gordon Tripp. She had two children, Marni Lee with first husband Buzz and HG (Buck) with Gordon. Gloria is survived by her children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with her siblings and several nieces and nephews.
Her family wrote in her obituary:
“Gloria served on so many Boards and Committees it is impossible to list them all as her opinions, her ability to get things done and willingness to fight for the cause were sought by many. Governors, Senators, Representatives, lobbyists and people in high positions counted her as a friend and colleague or a very worthy and respected adversary. Her natural curiosity led her to seek knowledge in many areas. She rode motorcycles, jumped out of airplanes, gained her pilot’s license, traveled much of the world, effected positive change, mingled with the powerful and ran with the big dogs. She made a difference.”