A wonderful life
GUDRUN (GERTRUDE) NYGARD
Gudrun Nygard entered this world on October 23, 1911 in Banks, North Dakota. She arrived in her heavenly home on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the age of 97. A celebration of her life will be 11/00 a.m., May 6, at the Watford City ND Wesleyan Church. Gudrun was the youngest of four children born to Gilbert and Guri Johnsrud who immigrated from Norway in 1904. She was raised on their rural homestead with a sod house being their first home. They later had a log cabin and then moved up to a small wood-framed house.
She attended a one-room school (with all grades) like most other children of her generation who lived on the prairie. She then boarded with friends to attend Watford City High School from which she graduated. Gudrun advanced to take courses at both the Minot and Dickinson State Teachers College. She became a teacher in another of those one-room schools and actually lived in the school building during the week. At another assignment she lived at the farm home of Peter and Caroline Nygard, where she met her husband.
Gudrun and Oscar were married March 17, 1936 on a stormy North Dakota day at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City. They made their living by farming the ND soil and raising cattle, except during World War II when Oscar worked at the Navy Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. Born to this union were son Leigh ( now living in Galesburg, IL), daughter Careen (who died shortly after birth), daughter Patricia (who died in 1973), and son Gregory (now living in Reston, VA). Oscar and Gudrun were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, and raised their children in their strong faith. Oscar went to be with the Lord in 1969 at the age of 64.
Gudrun was a great cook, at first turning out delicious meals and baked goods on a coal kitchen range. She was a faithful student of the Bible and an active reader of various books and magazines. She loved to participate in and listen to diverse types of music. She was prayerful and generous in her concern for her family. She was proud of her six (6) grandchildren, her eight (8) greatgrandchildren and her one (1) great-greatgrandchild. She fully acccepted her two daughters-in-law, Judy and Elsa. Two life-long dreams were fulfilled when she travelled to the Holy Land of Christ, and some years later to Norway to explore her ancestral roots. Later she lived two years in Galesburg, Illinois
Besides teaching, Gudrun worked as a home maker, elder caretaker and receptionist in Seattle, WA, and in hospital and realtor offices in Reston, VA where she lived for 34 years. She labored part-time until the age of 85 when she finally retired. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ole Johnsrud, and sisters Margaret Pederson and Anne Ulmen. We praise God for her productive life, and that she is now retired from the labors of this earth. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
Gudrun Nygard entered this world on October 23, 1911 in Banks, North Dakota. She arrived in her heavenly home on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the age of 97. A celebration of her life will be 11/00 a.m., May 6, at the Watford City ND Wesleyan Church. Gudrun was the youngest of four children born to Gilbert and Guri Johnsrud who immigrated from Norway in 1904. She was raised on their rural homestead with a sod house being their first home. They later had a log cabin and then moved up to a small wood-framed house.
She attended a one-room school (with all grades) like most other children of her generation who lived on the prairie. She then boarded with friends to attend Watford City High School from which she graduated. Gudrun advanced to take courses at both the Minot and Dickinson State Teachers College. She became a teacher in another of those one-room schools and actually lived in the school building during the week. At another assignment she lived at the farm home of Peter and Caroline Nygard, where she met her husband.
Gudrun and Oscar were married March 17, 1936 on a stormy North Dakota day at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City. They made their living by farming the ND soil and raising cattle, except during World War II when Oscar worked at the Navy Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. Born to this union were son Leigh ( now living in Galesburg, IL), daughter Careen (who died shortly after birth), daughter Patricia (who died in 1973), and son Gregory (now living in Reston, VA). Oscar and Gudrun were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, and raised their children in their strong faith. Oscar went to be with the Lord in 1969 at the age of 64.
Gudrun was a great cook, at first turning out delicious meals and baked goods on a coal kitchen range. She was a faithful student of the Bible and an active reader of various books and magazines. She loved to participate in and listen to diverse types of music. She was prayerful and generous in her concern for her family. She was proud of her six (6) grandchildren, her eight (8) greatgrandchildren and her one (1) great-greatgrandchild. She fully acccepted her two daughters-in-law, Judy and Elsa. Two life-long dreams were fulfilled when she travelled to the Holy Land of Christ, and some years later to Norway to explore her ancestral roots. Later she lived two years in Galesburg, Illinois
Besides teaching, Gudrun worked as a home maker, elder caretaker and receptionist in Seattle, WA, and in hospital and realtor offices in Reston, VA where she lived for 34 years. She labored part-time until the age of 85 when she finally retired. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ole Johnsrud, and sisters Margaret Pederson and Anne Ulmen. We praise God for her productive life, and that she is now retired from the labors of this earth. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
posted by Carrie at 9:25 AM
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