- Born on: August 10, 1948
- Departed on: August 25, 2025
- Resided in: Waterloo, IA
Gloria Jean Palmer
Gloria Jean Palmer, 77, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Waterloo Boat House from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in her memory.
Gloria was born on August 10, 1948, in Osage, Iowa to Albert and Loita Handt. She married James Palmer on June 22, 1979. After 25 years of service to the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department she retired on August 31, 2011. Beyond her career, she enjoyed cooking, fishing, and watching movies. Her greatest joy came from time spent with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons Todd and Tony Bakkum, stepdaughter Brenda Slipek, and her sister Debbie Handt.
Gloria is survived by her children, Tracy Bakkum, Tammy (Mark) Burton, Joshua (Mindi) Bender, Steven (Lynn) Bender, David Handt, Ana Gomez Handt, Dustin (Kristie) Palmer, Ahriana Palmer, and Nadija Palmer; siblings, Kathy, David, and Linda Handt; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her endless pride and joy. Gloria loved all of them more than her own life, and her devotion to them will remain her greatest legacy.
Gloria was born on August 10, 1948, in Osage, Iowa to Albert and Loita Handt. She married James Palmer on June 22, 1979. After 25 years of service to the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department she retired on August 31, 2011. Beyond her career, she enjoyed cooking, fishing, and watching movies. Her greatest joy came from time spent with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons Todd and Tony Bakkum, stepdaughter Brenda Slipek, and her sister Debbie Handt.
Gloria is survived by her children, Tracy Bakkum, Tammy (Mark) Burton, Joshua (Mindi) Bender, Steven (Lynn) Bender, David Handt, Ana Gomez Handt, Dustin (Kristie) Palmer, Ahriana Palmer, and Nadija Palmer; siblings, Kathy, David, and Linda Handt; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her endless pride and joy. Gloria loved all of them more than her own life, and her devotion to them will remain her greatest legacy.
