Gloria Jean Piper, age 80 of North Platte passed away June 17, 2019 at her home.

She was born on May 23, 1939 to Lawrence Wayne and Angela Mary (Miller) Dillon at the home of her Grandparents, Henry and Pauline Miller who resided in Hastings. NE

At the age of two and a half she was in the car with her mother who had taken her older brother to school and upon returning home was involved in a car/train collision which resulted in her Mother's death.

She attended grade school in Silver Creek, NE, Jr. High in Hermiston, OR and Topeka, KS and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in North Platte.

Shortly after graduation she married Donald S. Piper on Oct. 5, 1957 at St. Patrick Church in North Platte. Together they served his remaining 17 years in the Air Force. From this marriage they were blessed with four children.

During her life she was employed at May D&F, J.C. Penney's in Denver, Co. In North Platte she worked for McDonald school and the Diocese of Grand Island. For 16 years she and her husband were a team couple for Catholic Marriage Encounter and also served in a leadership role for the organization coordinating Marriage Encounter for three States.

She was a stay at home mom until the youngest child reached the age of eight. Although she did work outside of the home the focus and love of her life was her family. The ultimate joy was attending her children's activities and later in life when family came for the holidays or anytime during the year. When in the company of others her main topic of conversation was her family and the pride she had for them. She developed a love of quilting and as each grandchild graduated from high school they received a quilt in the size color of their choice.

She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she volunteered her help, Nebraska Quilt Guild, Newcomer's of North Platte and several bridge clubs.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Endowment Trust or to the North Platte Catholic Food Pantry. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Don of North Platte; four children, Christine (Danny) Casillas of Woodbridge, VA, Larry (Renee Miller) Piper of North Platte, NE, Angela (Dave) Fujan of Beatrice, NE, and David (Crystal Golter) Piper of Lincoln, NE; thirteen grandchildren, Jeremy, Derek (Jaime Wirtz) Casillas, Lindsey, Matthew, Courtney, Monica, Jessica Fujan, Stuart & Katelynn Gibson, Garrett & Haley Piper, Logan , and Olivia Golter; great grandchild, Finley Casillas; brothers, Larry Dillon and Mike (Jodi) Dillon; sister, Cathleen (Doug) Lamberty; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Angela Dillon; sister-in-law, Margaret (Moeller) Dillon; brother, Roger (Butch) Dillon; and stepmother, Judy E. (Mecek) Dillon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Vidya Sagar Arikotla as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Christian Wake Services will be help 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Visitation will be noon – 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.