Gloria Fitzgerald

Gloria I. Fitzgerald,86, of Albert Lea, passed away on September 9, 2026, at the Prairie Senior Cottages in Albert Lea, with her family by her side.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services, with a visitation beginning at 10:00AM. Burial will be held at Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea.

Born on April 9, 1940, in Albert Lea, Gloria was a daughter of the late Egon and Alta (Romer) Jensen, and lived a life full of love, resilience, and dedication to her family and community. A proud graduate of Albert Lea High School in 1958, Gloria married Raymond Smith in 1960, welcoming her only son, Terry, into the world. Following their divorce, Gloria found joy once more when she married Patrick Fitzgerald in 1981. Together, they led a fulfilling life, marked by laughter and companionship. 

Gloria dedicated a significant part of her life to her career, working for First Federal Savings from 1963 to 1988. Following that, she worked as a bookkeeper at Eddie's Bar, owned by her husband, which became a gathering place for many in the community. Known for her simplicity and warmth, Gloria collected angels and found happiness in the simple pleasures of life, especially listening to music. 

Those left to cherish Gloria’s memory include her son, Terry (Sue) Smith; step-daughter, Michelle Fitzgerald-Tollers; grandchildren, Amanda (Jon) Koenigs and Brady (Cally) Berg; ste-grandchildren, Jason (Farrah) Olson, Jazz Prihoda, Sage Prihoda, Tayler Tollers and Chandler Tollers; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Jensen; a son-in-law, Joe Prihoda; and many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Egon and Alta Jensen, Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Fitzgerald; brother, Charles Jensen; sister, Bette Madson; step-daughter, Cathy Jo Fitzgerald-Prihoda.