Gloria Davidson-Sabin

Gloria Jean Davidson-Sabin, age 67, Bryant, died January 1, 2015 at the Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown due to pancreatic cancer. She was born in Watertown, SD on January 31, 1947, and raised by her parents Edward and Ella Davidson on their farm at Cherry Lake. She went to school at Washington 24 in Clark County until the 5th grade. After that she transferred to the Bryant School District. Immediately after high school, she moved to Washington State and married Gary R. Downs on March 23, 1965. To this union, 3 children were born - Cheryl and twins Dawn and Shawn. After 18 years of marriage, she moved back to South Dakota for 3 years. Missing her children, she moved back to Washington State. Always eager for an adventure, she had the opportunity to run a café in Dell, Utah. It was there that she met her second husband Mike Sabin, whom she wed July 4, 1991. This union lasted 20 years. In 2011, she moved back to Bryant, and rekindled a relationship with Gary Kerkvliet. The two purchased a home and were engaged at the time of his death, April 21, 2013. Over the years, Gloria worked at various canneries, nursing homes and cafes. While living in Utah, she worked briefly as a flagger. Her last and favorite job was at the Ward's store in Bryant. She formed many friendships there and loved visiting the people. In her spare time, she loved to go to rummage sales and thrift shops. She has an immense interest in Native American motif. We all looked forward to her baked goodies. She loved to listen to Elvis, Neil Diamond, and Abba. One of her favorite memories was seeing Neil Diamond live in concert. Mom was also very fond of her cat Goldie, and her surrogate buddy Tucker. Preceding her in death is her father Edward Davidson, niece Sonja Rae Brown, great-granddaughter Gracie Wallace, fiancé Gary Kerkvliet, and brother-in-law Don Brown. Survivors include her mother, Ella Davidson of Bryant, sister Marsha Brown of DeSmet, 3 children: Cheryl (Mike) Albin of Yakima, WA, Dawn Downs of Salt Lake City, UT, and Shawn (Virgie) Downs of Standish, MI. 5 grandchildren: Danielle (Nick) Wallace, Richard Albin, Brad (Natalie) Albin, Shawn G. Downs, and Jacquelyn Downs. 4 great-grandchildren: Conner Wallace, Brayden and Brooklyn Albin, and Harper Albin, niece Christy Brown, and nephew Dan Brown A memorial service will be held, January 7, 2014 at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at Bryant, at 2:00 PM with a visitation starting at 1:00 PM.