Gloria Toivola

Gloria Toivola, born to Toivo and Irene Toivola, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 29, 2026. She was a beloved Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS). Beyond her distinguished career, Gloria was a devoted wife and mother, a fierce friend, and a revolutionary soul who turned her classrooms into spaces of true belonging. Known for her sharp intellect and feisty spirit, she broke barriers as one of the first women professors at the university. She used her own experiences to champion others, possessing a rare humility that allowed her to learn and grow alongside those she guided, ensuring she could best support anyone in need.

A passionate believer in the working class, Gloria served as a formidable Union President during the years of active faculty organizing. Though the landscape of labor has since changed, her commitment to the dignity of workers remains a central part of her legacy.

Away from the lectern, Gloria was a superb baker whose office was a frequent site for intense chats over her famous cheesecake. She believed in taking a person’s ideas seriously, yet she was never too busy for a long coffee or a deep dive into the state of current affairs. She encouraged generations of students to enter local government and graduate studies, always insisting that women’s voices belong in every room. She remained humble to the end, often telling her students that she learned as much from them as they did from her. She is survived by her husband, James Graves; her children, Erik Oberstar and his spouse Kellie, and Justin Oberstar and his spouse Rosie; her stepchildren, Andrew Graves and Steph Graves; and her grandchildren, Connor and Quinn. Her son, honoring her final request for a play of Pete Seeger’s "Solidarity Forever," invites you to remember her as a beacon of strength and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Union Gospel Mission (https://duluth-ugm.org/) in Duluth in her memory.