Martin "Marty" Gulbrandson

Racine- Martin Gulbrandson, 69, passed away at his home, surrounded with the love of his family, on Sunday, November 19, 2006 following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifetime resident, Marty was born in Racine on December 9, 1936 to the late Berger and Margaret (nee: Cerutti) Gulbrandson. A 1954 graduate of Washington Park High School, Marty faithfully served our Country with the United States Army Reserves from 1959-1965 as a combat engineer. On March 16, 1963 in Gethsemane Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Shirley M. Larsen. An accomplished electrician, Marty was employed by the IBEW Local 430, the union he has been a member of for 51 years. For 45 years, he served in various positions in Local 430 – President, E-Board member, and as Recording Secretary. For over 25 years, he was active with the Local 430 baseball and basketball leagues, both as a player and a coach. He was a longtime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and, of recent, had attended Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church. Marty was an IBEW Retiree and member of the Danish Brotherhood. He enjoyed being Up-North at their home in Keshena on Lake La Motte where he proudly captained the pontoon boat. He always looked forward to family gatherings at home, both in Racine and at the Lake. Marty also liked to refurbish furniture, (beautifying every piece in their home) and traveling with Shirley especially to Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii and Alaska, just to name a few. Thrifty as he was, Marty would often be seen driving around in his beat-up blue station wagon he named “The Turnpiker”. Above all, he was an extremely devoted family man who cherished the times spent with his entire family, especially his 4 adoring granddaughters he fondly referred to as “My Ladies”. Surviving are his loving wife of over 43 years, Shirley; sons, Kurt Gulbrandson, Chris (Shelley) Gulbrandson, Gregg Gulbrandson and Brad (Ellen) Gulbrandson, all of Racine; granddaughters, Sydney, Calie, Lyndsey and Paige Gulbrandson; sister-in-law, Loretta (Ray) Wnuck; nieces and nephews, Scott (Paula) Fiorita, Suzanne Fiorita, Teri Chanlynn, Patti Fiorita, Vincent Fiorita, Eric (Suzy) Wnuck and Adam (Gina) Wnuck; and by many special friends especially Fred and Joanne, Ron and Sandy, Marianne, Dorothy and Bill, Barb and Bill, the Vasilious Family, and Scott and Mary. In accordance with Marty’s wishes, cremation will take place. A memorial service will be celebrated in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 3 pm with Rev. Kara Baylor officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 1-3 pm. In memory of Marty, memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association have been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Bruce Luccas, Dr. Michael Mullane, Dr. James Tierney and Dr. Bernard Pegis, and all of their dear staff members including Mary Luccas, Laura, Juan and Kelly; Hospice Alliance; and, above all, to our wonderful friends, neighbors and co-workers who have tirelessly supported our entire family during Marty’s battle with cancer. We will always remember your kindness and generosity!