Sylvia B. Gilbraith

Sylvia B. Gilbraith, 79 of Crary ND. 

With immense sadness we announce the death of Sylvia Blanche Gilbraith on October 27^th of complications due to Covid.

Sylvia was born in Devils Lake on June 2, 1942 to John H. Gilbraith and Blanche M. (Link) Gilbraith. She was the ninth of ten children. She attended school in Crary, graduating from Crary High School in 1960. She attended Mayville State College where she received her Standard Degree in Teaching. Sylvia began her teaching career at the elementary school in Northwood. After a year, she moved to Tower, Minnesota and continued to teach elementary school. She met Daniel Cypher in Tower and they married in 1969. She was stepmother to Daniel’s two girls Debbie and Diane until they divorced. She returned to Crary and taught at the Crary Elementary School. After retiring from teaching, she worked for Joe’s Custom Painting Service, enjoying painting interior and exterior jobs. She lovingly cared for her mother during her illness until Blanche passed. After her mother’s passing, she remained on the family farm.

Sylvia enjoyed playing adult women’s softball and walking with her brothers and nephews during hunting season. She loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She rode horses on the farm, her favorites being Goldie and Ranger. She enjoyed music and singing as her nieces played the piano. Sylvia was a member of the choir at First Lutheran Church in Crary.

Her funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 3^rd, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake with Reverend Lyle Belleque, Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church officiating.  Burial will be in the Crary Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

She is survived by three of her sisters, Marge Koch of Windom, Minnesota, LaVina (Blair) Burner of Bellevue, Washington, and Carolyn Held of Minot; and by three of her brothers, Max (Jane) Gilbraith of Fargo, Laurin Gilbraith of Grand Forks, and Leon Gilbraith of Grand Forks, sister-in-law Shirley Gilbraith, Grand Forks, as well as many, many nieces and nephews.  Sylvia is also survived by longtime friends Dolores Stenseth, Sandra Maloney, Sandie Schanilec and Alan Smith.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, sister June Braaten, brothers Dave and Glen Gilbraith, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Carolyn Gilbraith, Carol Gilbraith, Joan Gibraith, Jimmy Braaten, John Koch and Kenneth Held.

Cards may be sent to Nicole Shjerve at 3344 Crown Cove, Grand Fork, North Dakota 58201.