obits

Rudolph Theodore Gulbrandson “Rudy”, age 92 of Wasilla, Alaska, formerly of Donnelly, died Jan. 24, 2011 at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska from complications with pneumonia.

Born June 28, 1918, in Donnelly, to Warner and Maud Gulbrandson.

Rudy completed school through the 8th grade, was confirmed at Konsvinger Lutheran Church. During WWII he enlisted in the Marines Feb. 2, 1942, and was a member of the 5th Infantry. His time of service was spent in the Pacific Theatre and served in Japan Sept. 1945- Feb. 1946 on occupation duty. Rudy returned home Feb. 6, 1946. He married Harriet Derby on Feb. 28, 1946 and together they farmed for the next 35 years. He had a lifelong love of working with animals, especially horses. After his retirement, he continued helping others with farming, and worked in his woodworking shop.

June 2006 he moved to Alaska to live with his daughter Patricia Ott and her husband Mike.

He is survived by his children: Jeanette Smith (Jim) Elbow Lake, Josephine Barnard (Gwen Saylors) Snowflake, Ariz., Dale Gulbrandson (Sharon) Roseville, Patricia Ott (Mike) Wasilla, Alaska, Kent Gulbrandson (Susan) Stacy, 19 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife Harriet, a child Charlene, his parents Warner and Maud Gulbrandson, 4 brothers, Lloyd, Orrin, Delner and Wilbur, 4 Sisters, Orella McCalip, Lyla Frarck, Mildred Miller, Audrey Sax. He has two living sisters. Grace Derby of Herman, and Cleo Gandrud of Benson.

Open visitation will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly on Friday Jan 28, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. with Pastor Judy Gelenski officiating. He will be buried at the Kongsvinger Church Cemetery with Military Rights provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard-Honor Guard.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wasilla, Alaska on Feb. 19, 2011 at 3 p.m.

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Funeral services for Carol Lee Brevig of Herman will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, rural Donnelly. Reverend Judy Gelinske will be officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Herman.

Carol Lee Smith, daughter of George and Grace (Kopecky) Smith, was born Dec. 28, 1928 in Ree Heights, S.D. Carol grew up in the rural Herman area, where she was baptized at the United Methodist Church. She attended country school through the 8th grade and continued her education at the West Central School of Agriculture, graduating in 1946. On Oct. 27, 1952, she was united in marriage to Dean Towner. The couple made their home in rural Herman, where they raised their family and farmed. Dean died in Oct. 6, 1976. Carol married Andy Brevig on April 16, 1983 and the couple continued to live in the Herman area. Carol became a resident of West Wind Village in Morris in March, 2009, where she continued to live until the time of her death.

Carol was a member of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church in Donnelly, where she served on the KLCW. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, crafts, gardening and bird watching. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Carol died on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at West Wind Village in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 82 years.

She is survived by her husband: Andrew Brevig of Herman; four sons: Robert (Terri) Towner of Hancock, Richard (Mary) Towner of Dawson, Ronald Towner of Herman and Mark (Seana) Towner of Pettus, Texas; one daughter: Mary (Jerry) Werk of Herman; four step-children: Jeffrey Brevig of Afton, Wendell (Debi) Brevig of South St. Paul, Victoria (James) Jasper of South St. Paul and Kristine (Bruce) Blomgren of Cottage Grove; 13 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; eight step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law: Zelda Smith of Glenwood, Shirley (Rudy) Raths of Alexandria, Janet Towner of Willmar, Ruth West of Ft. Myers, Fla. and Dagny (Walter) Schwendemann of Starbuck. She was preceded in death by her first husband: Dean Towner; her parents; two brothers: Ralph Smith and Paul (Lou) Smith; brother-in-law: James (Mildred) Towner and sister-in-law: Adeline (Eston) Foss.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.

To send condolences to the family, please visit the website at www.pedersenfh.com.