Gloria Marie Messinger, 76, died Sunday (Jan. 24, 2010) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

She was born June 3, 1933, at Oberlin, the daughter of the late Charles and Ruby (Parkhurst) Larreau. She attended grade schools at Oberlin, moving to McCook where she attended high school and graduated in 1951. Gloria worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone office in McCook following her graduation.

On Sept. 23, 1951, she married Roger Messinger. They raised three sons on their farm south of McCook. Gloria was a gifted chef and graced a number of people with her food. She was thought by many to have made the best pie crust in the county. She cooked at the country school in Marion where her three sons attended and also ran the lunch counter at the A&M Drug Store for a number of years. She also cooked at the McCook Townhouse.

In addition to cooking Gloria volunteered at the Methodist Church in McCook and enjoyed other church activities including Circle and Christian Womens Club. She participated in League bowling for several years.

Gloria loved watching her grandchildren grow and taught them well. She was the most amazing wife, mother, grandmother, friend and will be truly missed by all. Gloria we love and miss you and each person you have touched will carry a piece of you in their hearts forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Kenneth, Richard, Gerald and Donald Larreau and one sister, Virginia Speaker.

Survivors include her husband, Roger Messinger of McCook; three sons, Lance Messinger and wife, Cheryl of Longmont, Colo., Bruce Messinger of Helena, Mont. and Craig Messinger and wife, LaShasta of McCook; six grandchildren. Sarah, Lindsey, Amanda, Zachary, Alexander and Samantha Messinger; relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with the Rev. Lance Clay officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Memorials may be given in her name and visitation will be Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.