Gloria Ann Dietrich, 93, of Festus died March 10, 2020, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Center in Festus. Mrs. Dietrich was a member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. She worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass in the 1940s and worked administrative support roles at Our Lady’s School in the 1970s. She founded and operated the Dietrich Dance Studio for many years. Born Aug. 11, 1926, in Crystal City, she was the daughter of the late Lorene (Portell) and Anthony L. Linderer. She was preceded in death by her husband: Melvin A. Dietrich.
She is survived by three daughters: Daria (Tom) Ehler of Festus, Mary Michelle (Luke) Hughley of Millersburg and Laurie (Duane) Hardin of Festus; a son: Randy Dietrich of Tempe, Ariz.; a sister-in-law: Linda Linderer of Festus; nine grandchildren: Rachel Ehler, Vanessa (Todd) Krieg, Adam (Erin) Hardin, Blake Hardin, Heather (Gary) Dunn, Shannon (Joe) Beeson, Kyle Hughley, Elsa (Keaton) Oestreich and Zoe (Jake Beasley) Hughley; and eight great-grandchildren: Jonah Krieg, Cullen Krieg, Hannah Beeson, Myah Beeson, Austin Dunn, Radley Dean, Cole Hardin and Otis Oestreich.
She was preceded in death by five sisters: Helena (the late Tom) Hauck, LaVerne Linderer, Henrietta (the late L. Raymond) Bequette, June Rose Linderer and Mary (the late Donald) Casper; and a brother: Dean Linderer.
Funeral Mass was held March 14 at Our Lady Church in Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. A memorial gathering and celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Brenden’s Friday Backpack Program, c/o Vicki Tamboli, 3259 Burning Tree Lane, Festus, 63028; or to the Ozark Food Pantry. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.