December 26, 1937 – December 30, 2022
Shirley Gulbranson died peacefully surrounded by her two girls and her youngest granddaughter on December 30, 2022. She was eighty-five years old.
She was born in Richmond, California on December 26, 1937, and was baptized the next year in Grace Lutheran Church in Richmond. In 1955, she graduated from El Cerrito High School and then in 1956 married Paul Gulbranson – the love of her life since the fourth grade! They had three children: Kris, Kathryn and Karol.
Shirley was a compassionate, kind and helpful woman who everyone loved! She was a homemaker, ran a Home Daycare Center, was a church and school secretary, and volunteered her time at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Yreka. She also was a crossword and puzzle enthusiast, an avid reader, a bit of a news “junky,” an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed a variety of crafts such as miniature dollhouses and embroidery. She was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Yreka.
She is survived by her two daughters: Kathryn Gulbranson (San Rafael), and Karol Mercier (Yreka), and her sister Linda Fugitt (Temecula). She was the very, very proud Grandmother of six “attractive and very intelligent grandchildren:” Hannah, Kristian and Nikolas Gulbranson Gable; Reece Christensen, and Kristin, Chase and Lauren Mercier. She is preceded in death by her husband Paul and their son, Kris.
She is already missed.
A memorial service for Shirley will be held on January 21st at 1pm at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 825 Knapp Street in Yreka. Memorial contributions may be sent to Madrone Hospice or Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.