Gloria Jean Spiegel

Gloria Jean Spiegel, nee Rikkels, 85, of Waterloo, died Monday, July 14, 2025, at the Cedar Valley Hospice House, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 8, 1940, the daughter of Peter Rikkels and Agnes Schmidt Rikkels. Gloria was a bank teller with National Bank of Waterloo and Community Bank, and a long-term volunteer with the Cedar Valley Hospice where she served on the Board of Directors for Friends of Cedar Valley Hospice. She married Kent W. Spiegel on December 29, 1961, in Waterloo, and the couple later divorced. From that union, she was blessed with two children.

Gloria was a woman of faith who would be the first to tell you she was imperfect, but who had found sobriety more than 40 years ago. She was a very matter of fact woman who was very giving and had a kind heart. Gloria loved serving as MC of events and loved telling a joke. She enjoyed watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and whoever had a nice winning streak going. Gloria had a sweet tooth and for her, the 3 basic food groups were donuts, candy and chocolate. More than anything, though, she loved her family and especially loved messaging with her granddaughter, Alexandra.

Gloria is survived by her children, Melissa (Edward) Schwartz of Bolingbrook, IL and Matthew Spiegel of Waterloo; her granddaughter, Alexandra Schwartz of Winfield, IL; sisters-in-law Lorna Rikkels of Gilbert, AZ, Betsy Bentley of Ankeny, IA and Marlys Spiegel of Lancaster, PA; numerous nieces and nephews and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her brothers Herman, Robert and Donald Rikkels.

Funeral services for Gloria will be Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St John Lutheran Church, 715 College Street, Cedar Falls, IA with burial to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 4-7 PM at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Memorial contributions should be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or St. John Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to those who supported Gloria over the past several months: her neighbors for the ongoing and spontaneous support, Cedar Valley Hospice for their renewed friendship in her final days, and Peggy Joens who was an extension of the family and an outstanding “great niece.”