Rockwall, Texas - Gilma Lucille Morken, of Rockwall, Texas, arrived in heaven on December 27, 2025. She began her wonderfully long life of 104½ years in 1921, and left a legacy of resilience, patience, and profound respect for others based upon her Christian faith.

Gilma was the youngest of six children born to Erik and Cora Westburg. Her early life was shaped by hard work and the trials of the Great Depression, yet she spoke often of the simple joys of life on her family's homestead near Garrison, North Dakota.

As a young girl Gilma and her siblings (Irene, Ella, Alvin "Buddy", Elmer, and Roy) and dear friends, went to school in a one room school house; grades 1-12! Being the youngest child in the family, Gilma was thrilled to get to finally go to school where she could make many new friends, and learn all about the bigger world. Learn, she did! Then after graduating from Bismarck Junior College, she married Roy Yonker. Later, in 1944 as a 1st Lt. Army pilot, while stationed in England during WWII, Roy was tragically killed just a few weeks after the birth of their daughter, Gay. But, Gilma was twice blessed with love; in 1949 she married Naval Lt. JG Clifford Morken; they had two sons, Peter and Corey, in 1959 and 1962 respectively. Throughout her career, Gilma worked as a tax accountant and co-owned a Diet Center franchise, later Cliff & Gilma retired in Dickinson, ND. In 2004, the couple moved to Rockwall, Texas to be near son Peter and family, and experience Winter weather that allowed you to actually leave your house!

As Gilma surpassed her 100th birthday, the local Rockwall "Neighborhood" magazine interviewed and featured her for their cover story. She was flattered, but in her ever-humble way thought it was, "a lot of fuss for just a normal gal." Gilma read voraciously, was insightfully intelligent, and remained playfully competitive in Skipbo games inviting her adored church friends over weekly to her house for coffee and cards. Daily fellowship was enjoyed in her home, even up to the week of her passing. Every Sunday after church her dear friend Inez (decades Gilma's junior) would strive to "best" Gilma at cards. But, Gilma (with a little grin on her face) would always be quietly, stealthily strategizing, and about the time others were certain they had the sure win, she would lay down the rest of her hand for the victory, gently saying, "Oh my, look at that."

Gilma deeply loves the Lord Jesus and was an active member of Joy Lutheran Church in Rockwall. She had/has a deep and abiding faith and lived out her beliefs with empathy, and uncommon contentment. She was a remarkable active listener who respected the paths of others. Rather than offering unsolicited advice, she provided steady encouragement, often telling those she loved, "You're smart; you'll figure it out." Even at the age of 104 Gilma lived happily in her serene home that reflected her stress-free nature, and she faced life's challenges with the calm assurance that "everything will work out."

Gilma is survived by her daughter, Gay Anderson and husband Kent Stoddard of Michigan; her son Peter Morken and wife Renee of Rockwall, Texas; and her Grandchildren David Anderson (Nancy), Michael Anderson, Jodi Stoddard, Steven Stoddard, Dawn Cervone, Andrea (Ryan Smidt), Sarah (Scott Reese) and Christopher Morken (Courtney Smith), and Great-grandchildren Ashley, Emily, Rebecca, Christina, Ava, Cole, Jaxon, Abel, Luke, Braily, and Great-great-grandchildren Sadie and Louis, multiple loved nieces and nephews, as well as her dear friend and devoted caretaker, Inez Roach. She was preceded in death by her siblings, her husbands, Roy and Clifford; her baby son, Corey; Peter's first wife Kathy, and grandson Danny.

Her family will forever remember Gilma as a woman of quiet courage who found daily contentment through the assurances of her Christian faith. Along with friends and family, Gilma would often exchange thoughts of "how wonderous it will be to someday experience life with all the amazing people of history, and walking hand-in-hand with Jesus!" We are so joyful that she is now delighting in this activity...for eternity!!

Gilma's cherished family would welcome all who would like to celebrate her life, at Joy Lutheran Church, 302 N. Goliad St. Rockwall, TX., on Sat. January 17, 2026 at 12:00 pm.