Margy Gabrielsen

Margy Gabrielsen was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 10 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks surrounded by loving family and friends.

Margy was born July 17, 1937 near Starkweather, ND, to Arne and Susie (Erickstad) Braathen. She graduated from Starkweather High School in 1955 and Concordia College in 1959 with degrees in Physical Education and Health. She initially used her degrees and her love of athletics to teach junior and senior high Physical Education and Health. Margy’s love of teaching, however, wasn’t only directed toward older students. She eventually transitioned to serving young children as the Director of United Day Nursery School for many years. Eventually, Margy tried to retire, but that was short-lived as she soon took on the role of Parent Coordinator with the Grand Forks Head Start Program.

Margy married Thomas (Gabe) Gabrielsen in 1960 at Trinity Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather N.D. They subsequently lived and worked in Roseau, MN; West Fargo, ND; McVille, ND; and Carrington, ND before moving to Grand Forks in 1968 where they have remained since. Over her years in Grand Forks, Margy was very involved at her church and in her community serving on numerous boards and committees.

Margy is survived by her husband Thomas Gabrielsen, her children Lisa (Jeff) Hoplin of Grand Forks, ND and Tim (Julie) Gabrielsen of Wayzata, MN; her grandchildren Paul Hoplin, Luke (Victoria) Hoplin, John (Rachel) Hoplin, Greta Gabrielsen, Elisabeth (Landon) Ridpath, and Ashley Gabrielsen; beloved nieces and nephews, and her first great-grandchild Aletta Louise Hoplin.

Margy was preceded in death by her parents Arne and Susanna Braathen, siblings Gene Braathen and Joyce Pendell.

Service will be at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND on Friday, December 15 at 10:30 A.M., with a Visitation beginning an hour before at 9:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to Valley Senior Living Foundation or United Lutheran Church Women (ULCW)