Gloria May Trcka

GLORIA MAY (MILLER) TRCKA, age 87, of Montgomery passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Traditions of Montgomery.

Gloria was born on May 21, 1938, in New Prague, the daughter of William Henry and Mary Ann (Holicky) Miller. She was raised on a farm in Kilkenny Township where she attended a one room schoolhouse from 1st – 6th grade at District 123 in Rice County. In 1956, Gloria was selected as Montgomery’s “Kolacky Queen” which led to attending many parades throughout the area, her favorite being the Winter Aquatennial. She graduated from Montgomery High School with the class of 1957. In 1961, Gloria was united in marriage to Irvin Trcka, together they had two children and were later divorced.

At the age of 16, Gloria started working for Green Giant where she continued to work seasonally for many years. Throughout her life, Gloria worked for Pony and Rainey Hardware, Furniture, Appliance and Gifts; Spoors and Meyers in Le Center; Holland Plastic in Montgomery; as well as at Munsing Wear in Montgomery. She also served as a waitress form 1972 – 2007, at the Golden Pheasant and Lakeside Supper Club. Gloria was a pristine housekeeper for many wonderful families in the Montgomery and New Prague area for many years, as well as custodian for nine years at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery where she was a lifelong member.

Gloria enjoyed dancing, walking, biking and listening to Elvis. Her grandson, Nicolas, was her pride and joy. She loved gardening with lots of flowers. In the fall Gloria would pick off the dried flower seed for the next spring planting. She had a large vegetable garden and enjoyed canning her produce alongside her children. Gloria was noted for her famous homemade potato salad which was requested by many. She was a good pie and cake maker. Some of her favorites included apple, rhubarb, and lemon meringue. A birthday didn’t go by without an Angle Food Cake for her daughter and a three or four layout chocolate cake for her son.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Tamara Ann Trcka of Burnsville (special friend, Cory Plath of New Hope); daughter-in-law, Carrie Trcka; grandson, Nicolas Todd Trcka; great grandchildren: Jameson Ryan and Conley Ruth, all of Lakeville; sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Miller and Barbara Miller; special friend and caregiver, John Grimm; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Todd Allen Trcka; ex-husband, Irvin; siblings, Robert Miller, William Miller, Eldred Miller, Carlton Miller, Rose (LeRoy) Perteet; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Miller and Caroline Trcka; brother-in-law, Vernon Trcka.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Monday, July 21, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery along with her sister, Rose Pauline (Miller) Perteet, who passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Visitation will be held for two hours prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery.

Gloria’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Traditions of Montgomery and St. Croix Hospice for the care Gloria received.