Gail Confer

Gail Leigh Paur Confer was a woman of great faith, tenacity, acceptance, compassion, love and grit. She had a quick and insightful wit and could be stubborn to her core.

She was also perpetually and reliably late… to everything.

Gail was born on July 15, 1949, to Rose and Ted Paur of Gilby, ND. She joined her older brother Gary in the clan, and preceded Dawn, Lance (deceased) and Joy. Also, surrounding her during her childhood and teenage years were so many cousins! The Forester girls, Billy Botner, the Houskas, the Paurs were all important to her. She was exceptional at connecting with people and meeting them where they were at, even from a young age.

That ability to connect was perhaps her greatest asset in her nursing career. She graduated from the University of North Dakota and was proud to be “capped” as a Registered Nurse, which was, at that time, a symbol of the importance of the profession. She worked in every nursing specialty from medical surgical to labor and delivery to psychiatry, cardiac research, group home care and phone nursing. So many patients healed under her warm, compassionate care. In addition to nursing, Gail often had a “side-gig,” doing marketing research calls, working in a school lunch line, or volunteering at St. Anne’s guest home. She was also always, always, always cooking.

Gail married in 1972 and happily welcomed four-year-old Ricky, Jr. as her son. He was joined by Nicole, Charles and Gabriel. Gail was delighted to be a mother, and took that role with, not only her own children, but many others throughout the years. Gail collected people around her, often those who truly needed connection.

Gail had an unbreakable, unwavering bond with her parents and provided much care to both Ted and Rose as they came to the end of their lives. She even lived with Rose to provide that care. In that tradition, Gail’s son Charles has provided care, support, companionship and love to her, as her own health deteriorated. Because of Charles, as well as her brother Gary and sister Dawn, she was able to stay in the Paur family home until hospitalized for her final illness. In the hospital, Gail said that “Mom and Dad have always been with me, it’s my time to be with them.”

Gail’s definition of “family” was broad and inclusive, and it is impossible to know who all she would want to name. In addition to those listed above, she would certainly want to include her “bonus sister” Kathy Schiele, and her grandchildren, Isabelle, Christopher and Joshua.

We are all better for having had her in our lives.

A family led service will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, Manvel.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service. 
The family requests that flowers are sent to St. Timothy’s Catholic Church.