Alice Gulbranson
November 19, 1949 - February 13, 2020
In accordance with her wishes, private memorial services for Alice Gulbranson, 70, of St. Paul, MN, will be held later at the convenience of her family.
Alice Gulbranson lost her courageous two and a half year battle against cancer on Feb. 13, 2020.
Alice Gulbranson was born Nov. 19, 1949, one of nine children in the Charles and Margaret Cain family.
She grew up in rural Buffalo Count of South Dakota, graduating from Gann Valley High School of Gann Valley, SD. She attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, for one year before graduating from the cosmetology program at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD.
After completing cosmetology school, Alice moved to the Twin Cities of Minnesota where she first worked at Joel’s Salon before opening her own shop in her home. From 1995 to 2015, Alice also operated an in-home daycare and worked more than ten years at Sam’s Club.
After moving to Minnesota, she met and then married her best friend, Gary Gulbranson, on Sept. 25, 1973. Alice’s death has ended a partnership of more than 46 years with Gary, her husband and loving caregiver. They had two daughters, Heidi and Andrea, who also helped with their mother’s care along with the emotional support of their family dog, Odie.
Alice loved to travel, having been in many countries all over the world.
She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Abernathy Unit #16, Gann Valley, SD.
She was a caring and loving person, who would’ve gladly given the shirt off her back to a friend in need.
She will be missed by many and loved always.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of more than 46 years, Gary Gulbranson of St. Paul, MN; two daughters, Heidi of St. Paul, MN, and Andrea of St. Paul, MN; siblings, Leland Cain and wife, Beverly of
Miller, SD, Ellen Speck of Gann Valley, SD, Doris Cain of Apple Valley, MN, Lucille Feenstra and husband, Douglas of Sioux Falls, SD, Raymond Cain and wife, Rebecca of Fairbanks, Alaska, Gerald Cain and wife, Julie of St. Lawrence, SD, and Deanna Cain of Miller, SD, along with a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Cain and Margaret Nielson Cain; her eldest brother, Ronald Cain; her grandmother, Marie Nielson and other grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Ellen Speck, P.O. Box 168, Gann Valley, SD 57341, and will be forwarded to the family.