Iver Gulbranson

Iver Lloyd Gulbranson was born May 23, 1919 in Holmes City Township. He was the fifth child of Iver Gulbranson and Marie (Strandvold) Gulbranson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Trysil Lutheran Church. He graduated from Alexandria High School in 1937. He entered military service on February 2, 1942 and serviced in the South Pacific with the 13th Air Force for the duration of the war. Iver was united in marriage to Evelyn Bisek, September 23, 1946. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, Alexandria where he served on the Board of Trustees, Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, and several years as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He served one term on the City Park Board, and 27 years as league secretary with the Alexandria Bowling Association. He was a member of the Alexandria Golden Kiwanis and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was employed by the United Telephone Co. and Sprint for 31 years, retiring in 1981. After retirement he and Evelyn spent the next 14 years in San Antonio, TX moving back to Alexandria in 1996. Iver died on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Knute Nelson at the age of 93. Iver is survived by his son Brian and wife Gerry of Midwest City, OK; son Blaine of Alexandria, MN; two grandchildren; Brianne Slifka of Midwest City, OK and Jeremy Gulbranson of Syracuse, NY; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, four brothers, one sister and his parents. A funeral service was held on Friday, October 5, 2012 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Reverend Greg Billberg officiating. Music was provided by organist, Diane Alveshere; soloist, Patrick Kalina; and trumpeter, Bill Riggs. Military Honors were provided by the Alexandria American Legion Post 87 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936. Entombment was held at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers were LeRoy Karrow, Orin Lundberg, Archie Zeithhamer, Larry Johnson, Steve Carlson, and Stan Johnsrud. Honorary casket bearers were the Alexandria Golden Kiwanas. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.