Thelma M. Gulbranson

Thelma M. Gulbranson, 75, of Columbia Falls, passed away Sunday morning, May 2, 2010 at Brendan House Nursing Home in Kalispell.

She was born July 11, 1934 in Browning to Noble Bennett Sr. and Nancy Yellow Owl Bennett.

She graduated with a GED from Columbia Falls High School in her 40s.

She loved the outdoors, picnics, yard picnics, dancing, country music, animals and being with friends and family, especially with all her grandchildren. She spent most of her later life disabled at her home with family and friends who she was always glad to see, but mostly wanted to help her own self.

She enjoyed helping others and had a very tender heart. She loved her home and helping her family from day to day. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and she never faltered in that. She will be greatly missed by all.

She is survived by her children; Linda Street of Kennewick, Wash., Karol Knowles of Columbia Falls, and Portland, Ore., Russell Gulbranson of Martin City, Charles Gulbranson of Columbia Falls, Corinne Gulbranson of Hungry Horse, her brothers; Earl and Roy Bennett of Browning, sisters: Shirley Little Dog of East Glacier, Lorrainne Triplett of Bigfork, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister; Freda Sanderville, brothers; Nobel Bennett Jr., Charles Bennett, Earl Bennett and a son Karre Gulbranson.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

A funeral will be held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, Rev. John Miller Officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.