Howard R. Gulbrandson

Howard Reynold Gulbrandson was born on February 20, 1919 to Lewis and Jeanette Griffin Gulbrandson in Albert Lea, MN. He was baptized at the East Freeborn Lutheran Church. Confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea on May 20, 1934 by Pastor Sigurd T. Sorenson. Howard has been a lifelong resident of the Albert Lea area. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1936. Howard served in the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He was discharged in February of 1946 and returned to Albert Lea. Howard was united in marriage to Jeanette Ruth Hovland on August 3, 1947, in Manchester, MN by Pastor Paul Ylvisaker. While a member of First Lutheran Church, Howard had been active as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and the Brotherhood. Howard restored many classic cars during his 49 years in the Auto Body Repair business, one very special car being a Rolls Royce Phanton III. Howard and Jeanette enjoyed spending time at their cabin near Spring Valley for 25 years. Howard had served as a member of the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home Board of Directors for 15 years. He was currently a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where he had been a deacon and past-president of the Fellowship Group. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; nieces, Jeanine and her husband David Christensen of Clarks Grove, and Janis and her husband David Springborg of Albert Lea; nephews, Larry Hoium of Albert Lea, James and his wife Joyce Hoium of Albert Lea, and David and his wife Jeanne Swanson of Apple Valley, MN. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Alice Julette, and Gertie Hoium-Hyland; a brother in infancy; brothers-in-law, Leslie Hoium and Ed Hyland; sisters-in-law, Otelia Hovland Ross and her husband, Les and Pearl Hovland Swanson and her husband John, Sr.; and nephew, John Swanson.