Nancy Gulbranson

Nancy Lee (Rieke) Gulbranson passed away on March 9, 2016, at the age of 68, surrounded by her husband and children. The youngest of four children, Nancy was born to Reuben and Caroline (Bahr) Rieke on May 18, 1947. Her siblings Leora, Betty and Reuben Jr. greeted her. She grew up in Fairfax, Minnesota, and was confirmed at the United Methodist Church. She attended Fairfax public schools, was active in band and choir, was a Homecoming Queen candidate and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1965. Nancy met her husband, Dick, while he was teaching at the Fairfax Public Schools. Dick and Nancy were united in marriage on June 8, 1968, at the United Methodist Church in Fairfax. Although married and a new mother, Nancy attended Mankato State University and graduated cum laude with a degree in elementary education in 1969. Nancy served as a short-term and long-term substitute teacher in many school districts over her career, the last being Garfield Elementary School. Nancy was a woman of faith and was dedicated to church service. Throughout her life, she was active in many churches as her family moved to different communities. She sang in many church choirs, taught Sunday and Bible School, participated in Ladies Aid, and contributed to hundreds of quilts and other mission-related items. Above all, Nancy was a dedicated wife and mother and strived to create the best home for her family. Her children and grandchildren were always greeted with love and the finest in homemade cooking and baked goods. Her ability to effortlessly create a homemade and perfect piecrust will always be admired by her daughter. In certain circles, Nancy’s lefse and dill pickles were famous. She spent many hours each summer harvesting and processing the garden vegetables. She was an expert at sewing and quilting. Early in her life, she sewed most of her own dresses and suits as well as her children’s clothes. Family and friends enjoy her wall hangings, pillows and quilts. Within her immediate family, she was famous for flannel quilts and, as quilts would wear out from use, her children and later her grandchildren would good-naturedly compete to be next on the docket for a new flannel quilt. Given many choices, Nancy’s favorite ice cream flavor was vanilla. Classic. Traditional. And we loved her for it! Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Leora (Ray) Wiekle and Betty (Jon) Ostrom, and her nephew Robert (Bob) Weikle. She is survived by her husband, Richard (Dick) Gulbranson, her daughter Lisa Gulbranson, her sons Jed (Tami) Gulbranson and Patrick (Alicia) Gulbranson; grandchildren Luke, Katelyn, August, Jacob and Anneka Gulbranson; brother Reuben (Loretta) Rieke; sister-in-law Brenda Gulbranson and brother-in-law Dale (Young Mi) Gulbranson; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In lieu of gifts, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society. Blessed be her memory. Thanks be to God! Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016, 1:00 PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Garfield. Burial will be at the Bethel Cemetery in Hoffman. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net

Nancy Gulbranson

May 18, 1947 - March 9, 2016