Gloria Elizabeth Struchen

BURLEY - Gloria Elizabeth Knopp Struchen, 83, and a beloved resident of Burley, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Shaw Mountain of Cascadia in Boise, surrounded by the love of her children.

Gloria’s life was defined by the love she gave and the kindness she shared. As a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she brought light into the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Gloria was born on October 16, 1941, in Heyburn, Idaho, to Jake and Mary (Weber) Knopp, and was raised in Burley, where she graduated from Burley High School in 1959. Gloria married Ed Struchen on April 3, 1959, in Rupert. Together, they raised three children in the Burley area.

Gloria was raised on a farm, where she developed a strong work ethic from an early age. She spent many years working the fields with her father, helping in the garden with her mother and two sisters, and later driving potato and beet trucks during the harvest seasons.

Gloria's life was filled with a profound love for her family and an enduring passion for exploring new experiences. Whether it was ceramics, sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, oil painting, or playing the organ, Gloria approached each activity with enthusiasm—and excelled at whatever she set her mind to.

As a family, they spent countless weekends camping and riding motorcycles with friends, creating cherished memories along the way. She also enjoyed the thrill of snow skiing. Her ability to face any challenge with grace and success was one of her defining traits.

In the 1960s, Gloria’s entrepreneurial spirit blossomed when she opened her first business out of the family home's garage, offering custom sewing and alterations. This was just the beginning of her creative journey. Before opening her own store, Gloria worked at Klink’s Florist and the Flower Pot, where she honed her skills in flower arranging. It was during this time that she truly discovered her passion for working with flowers. Her talent and creativity flourished, and she mastered the art of floral design, which deepened her love for the creative process and solidified her place in the floral world.

Gloria later opened Gloria’s House in Bloom, a beloved flower, gift and craft store, where she brought beauty and joy to the community. She crafted stunning floral arrangements for all occasions, as well as everyday gifts. Her creative spirit and attention to detail made everything she did a work of art, and her store became a trusted place where the community could find the perfect floral expression for any event.

Gloria is survived by her children, Marla Spann of Boise, and Merrill (Laura) Struchen of Boise; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Struchen of Meridian; her grandchildren, Kendall (Jennifer) Struchen of Paul, Jacqueline (Justin) Powell of Boise, Kyle Struchen of Meridian, Nathan Spann of Boise, and Lily Struchen of Meridian; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Robinette (Ron) Lynch of Burley.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edwin (Ed) Struchen; her son, Royce Struchen; her parents, Jake and Mary Knopp; and her sister, Joyce Maier.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 31, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, with Pastor Brian Livermore officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, January 30, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Friendship House of Shaw Mountain in Boise for their dedicated care and support. A special thank you also goes to the team at Bluebird Hospice in Meridian for their compassionate care during Gloria’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/vBWDkQyLQB4.