Thelma M. Gulbranson, 75

Thelma M. Gulbranson, 75, of Columbia Falls passed away Sunday morning, May 2, 2010, at Brendan House Nursing Home in Kalispell. She was born on 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, whom she was always glad to see, but she most wanted to help her own self. She also 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, Russell Gulbranson of Martin City, Charles Gulbranson of Columbia Falls, and Corinne Gulbranson of Hungry Horse; brothers, Earl and Roy Bennett of Browning; sisters, Shirley Little Dog of East Glacier, and 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 and Earl Bennett; and a son, Karre Gulbranson. A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, at St. Richard s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with the Rev. John Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.