Carolyn H. Gilbraith

Carolyn H. Gilbraith, 65 of Crary, ND, died on Sunday, January 27, 2008, at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2008, at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Hwy 2 & Hwy 19, Devils Lake, ND, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service and a time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Carolyn will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 1700 5 Ave NE, Devils Lake, ND, on Friday, February 1, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate. Interment will be in the spring at the Crary Cemetery. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Collin and Linda Hanson, Arden and Angie Svenby, Art and Carol Rohr, Barry and Judy Cox, Jim Hunt, and John Swenseth. Honorary Bearers will be the Staff of the Lake Area Career and Technologies Center. Music will be provided by Ronda Renee Koch, soloist; and Brenda Swenseth, pianist. Carolyn Hildora Paulsrud was born March 23, 1942, at Cooperstown, ND the daughter of John and Myrtle (Beck) Paulsrud. She was reared and educated in Binford, graduating from Binford High School in 1960. She attended Mayville State Teacher’s College and received her teaching certificate. In 1963 she started teaching 4th Grade at Sweetwater School in Devils Lake and remained there for 9 years. Carolyn was united in marriage to Leon L. Gilbraith on June 26, 1966, in Binford. They established their home in Crary where they have raised their family and lived throughout the years. While raising their family, Carolyn continued to work as a substitute teacher in both Crary and Devils Lake. In 1986, Carolyn returned to teaching full-time at the Alternative High School in Devils Lake until health problems caused her to retire in November of 2007. Carolyn was a former member and Sunday School teacher at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Doyon, ND. From 1967 until its closing in 1995, Carolyn was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Crary. She was a Sunday School Teacher, then later the Superintendent of Sunday School. She was also an active member of the Ladies Aid (WELCA). After the closing of the Crary church, Leon and Carolyn have been active members of Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Carolyn was a member and held many offices in the Wheatland Homemakers Club and also served on the Ramsey County Council of Homemakers. She was also very involved in Girl Scouts. Carolyn was an avid reader and enjoyed embroidery. She loved flowers and tending her flower garden. She had a special touch when it came to caring for peonies. Carolyn prepared many homemade meals for the constant flow of hunters and fishermen throughout her and Leon’s 41 years together. Carolyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; a dedicated teacher and a woman of strong faith. Carolyn brought that legacy of love, devotion and caring to all her students, to her church community, to her friends and to all those whose lives she touched. She will always and forever be loved and in our hearts. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 41 years, Leon Daughter: Nicole Gilbraith of Grand Forks Twin Sons: Jon Gilbraith and his wife, Stephanie of Glenburn, ND Paul Gilbraith of Crary Grandchildren: Audrey Gilbraith; Caleb Gilbraith, Wyatt Gilbraith and Kylie Gilbraith Sister: Marjorie Paulsrud of Devils Lake Sisters-in-law: Nancy Paulsrud, Beulah, ND Luci Paulsrud of Cooperstown, ND Special Friends: Rollie and Ann Nelson and their daughters, Louise and Connie Nelson Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Duane Paulsrud, Thomas Paulsrud and a brother in infancy and a nephew, Dennis Paulsrud. (Mrs. G - we tried to get this as perfect as possible as to avoid any “red marks.”)