Gloria Ottem, 83, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026 at Bethany on 42nd under the care of HIA Hospice.

Gloria Carol Goter Ottem, was born July 18, 1943, the daughter of Paul and Helen (Schultz) Goter, on the family farm near Woodworth, ND. She attended grade school and high school in Woodworth where she was active in sports and music. The family attended and was active at St. Paul's Lutheran Church where Gloria was the church pianist as well as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. Gloria graduated from Woodworth High School in 1961 and attended Moorhead State University for one year. She then began employment with Gate City Savings in Fargo, ND where she remained until her marriage to Roger Ottem on Dec. 28, 1968 in Jamestown, ND. They moved briefly to Puyallup, WA before returning to Fargo where they made their home. A daughter, Kristin Leigh Ottem, was born in Fargo in the early 1970's.

Gloria was employed with Newman Signs for the next few years as a secretary and bookkeeper. In 1980, after her divorce from Roger, she accepted a position as secretary for the Chairman of the Animal and Range Sciences Department at NDSU. In 1992, Gloria was offered and accepted an Adm. Assistant position in a pilot program for the dually diagnosed (those with both a chronic substance abuse diagnosis and a seriously mental illness diagnosis) at Southeast Human Services, Dept. of Human Services, State of ND. It was in this position that she felt she had been given an opportunity to make a difference by assisting in providing tools that could be of positive influence for some who were struggling with their illnesses. She remained at this position until retirement on Dec. 31, 2008. After retirement, Gloria moved to an apartment complex for 55 and older where she pursued her lifelong hobby of gardening, only on a smaller basis, by raising flowers and a few vegetables on her apartment balcony. She also spent many hours, working on her laptop and reading, enjoying the time she now had to do such things. That included fun lunches and activities with her family and friends.

Gloria was preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Paul Goter and her parents, Paul and Helen (Schultz) Goter.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Ottem of Fargo; brother, Stanley Goter (Ila Jeanne) Jamestown, ND; nieces, Paula (Roger) Hegele, Maui, HI; Denise (Jerry) Peterson, Edgewood, WA; Kristina Goter, Jamestown, ND; nephew, Daniel (Courtney) Goter, Puyallup, WA; many great-nieces and nephews; as well as cousins and other extended family. She was also very grateful for and placed great value on her friends with whom many special memories were made and shared.

Memorial Service: 2pm, Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior.
Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, ND

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND