James Gulbrandson

James Sylvester Gulbrandson, age 83 of Austin, died Monday, April 22, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin. James was born on July 15, 1935 in Austin, Minnesota to Oswald Maynard and Marie Magdelene (Heimer) Gulbrandson. He grew up in Austin, graduated from Pacelli High School in 1953 and enlisted in the Navy the same year. On September 1, 1956, James married Toniann Lemon in Kansas City, Missouri. They raised four children together and were happily married for 32 years until Toniann’s passing on June 24, 1989. James remarried Vondean Winona Anderson on October 12, 1991 in Carson City, Nevada. They shared many beautiful years together. Vondean preceded James in death on May 7, 2009. James served with distinction in the Navy for 20 years as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a member of Queen of Angels Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed fishing, boating, traveling, playing cards, telling stories, and spending time with his large family and friends. He is survived by his sisters, Bette Sprofera, Kansas City, MO and Lynette (Milton) Shelley, Kansas City, MO; brother, Peter (Deborah) Sprofera, Kansas City, MO; step-daughter, Tonna (Dennis) Burdick, Kansas City, MO; daughter, Kande Artigue, Austin, MN; son, Terry (Kate) Gulbrandson, Waseca, MN; son, Dean Gulbrandson, Sacramento, CA; daughter, Lynn Gastelum, Stockton, CA; eight grandchildren, Jasen (Ashley), Tyler (Audrey), Katherine (Matt), Dan (Takara), Mary (Rob), Kryssi (Henry), Joseph, and Tony; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Peter Sprofera; step-mother, Inez Gulbrandson; two wives; brother, Parris Leo Gulbrandson; and step-son, Terry Anderson. Family and friends will celebrate his life at a Funeral Mass at 11 am on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Ra&uacutel Silva officiating. There will be a visitation at Mayer Funeral Home from 1-4 pm on Sunday, April 28, 2019 and also one hour before the service at church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and V.F.W. Post #1216. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project and American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
4th Drive SW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Sunday, April 28 2019
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Monday, April 29 2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Queen of Angels Catholic Church
1001 Oakland Avenue East
Austin MN 55912

Service

Monday, April 29 2019
11:00 AM

Queen of Angels Catholic Church
1001 Oakland Avenue East
Austin MN 55912