Glenn Gilbraith

  It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Glenn Gary Gilbraith from complications due to a multi-year struggle with the rare disease of Cortico Basal degeneration. Glenn was born to John Harold Gilbraith and Blanche Mary (Link) Gilbraith on May 14, 1935 at home on the Meher Place in Odessa Township, Ramsey County, North Dakota.  He was the seventh of ten children. The family eventually moved to Crary, North Dakota where he attended school and graduated in 1953. He worked on the family farm and road construction (interstate, highway, and city streets) to put himself through school.  He began his career teaching all subjects to grades 1-8 in a one room school west of Larimore in 1954 when, as has been said “Moby was a minnow and Dick could see Spot run”.  In 1955, he moved to the Doyon School, teaching all subjects in grades 5-8 as well as coaching high school basketball. He received a Standard Degree from Mayville State and taught grade 7 for two years in Lakota. After returning to Mayville State, and earning his Bachelor of Science degree, he was hired by the Grand Forks Public School District to teach fifth grade, phy-ed and health to grades 3-6 at Lincoln School in 1960.  In 1965, he received his Master’s Degree in Elementary School Administration from the University of North Dakota and was appointed principal of Roosevelt School. He was a two-school Principal at Wilder and Washington Schools and later at Lincoln and Belmont/Phoenix Schools.   He received his Specialist Diploma in Educational Administration in 1976. In 1986 he became Principal at Winship School, and also returned to teaching phy-ed part time, until his retirement in 2000. Across his education career, he was an advisor to the first Elementary Computer Committee in 1985, the Native American Program, ran the city-wide grade school track meet, and commenced the Title I Summer School Reading Program, worked on the Headstart Program and various Physical Education Programs along with his other duties. He married Shirley Ann Martinson on November 27, 1954 at Zoar Lutheran Church in Hampden, North Dakota. They had five children: Gary, Dawn, Scott, Lori and Mark. Glenn enjoyed being outdoors: hunting (deer, geese, and ducks), fishing, camping, working outdoors as well as home maintenance, general “rooting around” and garage sitting. He never turned down a cup of coffee or baked treat and enjoyed spending time with his education colleagues and friends at Friday coffee at Perkins and other restaurants across town.  He particularly enjoyed family time, picnicing and boating on Maple Lake and enjoyed spending time with his three wonderful grandchildren Jay, Brett and Megan and attending their activities. Glenn is survived by his wife Shirley of 63 years, his daughter Dawn (Bob Elliott) of Fargo, his daughter Lori of Grand Forks, son Mark of Shanghai China and daughter-in-law, Lynn of Grand Forks, his grandsons Jay (Sadie and their son, Owen) of Grand Forks, Brett of Grand Forks and granddaughter Megan Maple (Korey and their daughters Grace and Nora) of Aberdeen. He is also survived by four of his sisters: Marge Koch of Windom, Minnesota, Lavina (Blair) Burner of Bellevue, Washington, Sylvia Gilbraith of Crary and Carolyn Held of Minot and three of his brothers: Max (Jane) of Fargo, Laurin of Grand Forks and Leon of Crary as well as his sisters-in-law, Joan Gilbraith of Fargo, Thelma Hettervig of Fargo and Gladys Martinson of Devils Lake and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Gary Lee and Scott Kevin, his parents, his sister June Braaten of Crary and his brother Dave of Fargo, and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Glenn was a quiet, big-hearted man, though not introverted, loved a good laugh and socialising with colleagues, friends and his large extended family, especially kids, toddlers and dogs. The family would like to thank the caregivers and the entire staff of Woodside Village (Oakcrest Neighborhood) and Valley Memorial Homes.  We appreciate the patience and good care he was given.  In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Glenn’s preference for simplicity, please donate memorials to the charity of your choice. Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be Monday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks, ND.