Fred Norman "Tip" Gulbrandson

Fred Norman "Tip" Gulbrandson

Fred was born on May 12, 1905 in Larvik, Norway and died in Everett of a brief illness on March 16, 2011 just short of his 106th birthday. His parents, Herman and Anna Gulbrandson, emigrated from Norway with Fred and his two older sisters in 1907. The family lived first in several North Dakota towns where three more girls and one more boy were born. In 1918 the family moved to Everett arriving on Halloween. Fred, his brother and sisters all attended Everett schools.
After a serious injury while working at the Clark-Nickerson sawmill in Everett, Fred joined his father as union carpenters and contractors. Together they built a number of structures in Snohomish and King Counties, including the old county detention home at Rockefeller and Wall. Fred joined the Carpenter's Union in 1928 and remained a member until his death. Following his father's death in 1940, Fred continued on his own as a builder until retiring at age 75. Some of his work included the Hewitt Avenue bridge across the Snohomish River, Donovan-Allen houses and the construction of federal wartime housing at the Baker Heights project in north Everett, the forestry kiosk at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962, and a large number of private residences, including many custom homes in the Edmonds area.
As a young man, Fred belonged to one of Everett's first motorcycle clubs. Riding his 1922 Indian motorcycle, Fred and his friends enjoyed taking trips down the coast to California. Fred also had a memorable trip riding "the rails" alone back to the Chicago World's Fair in 1932.
Fred married Edith Stohr of Whidbey Island in 1939 and they lived most of their married life in Everett's Pinehurst neighborhood. For almost seventy years Fred and Edith enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping together with many close friends and taking part in social and community organizations. Fred was a life member of the Elks, belonged to the Index Sportsman Club, the Sons of Norway, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Degree of Pocahontas. Fred served as state president of the Red Men at age 99 and was a trustee of the Everett lodge until he was 102.
As the eldest surviving son, his younger brother was killed in World War II in 1944, Fred took a leading role in caring for his mother, who died in 1976, and maintaining family ties to Norway. In 1947, Fred and his mother took their only trip back to Norway to check on the large extended family. They had originally left Norway in 1907.
Fred is survived by his two sisters, Lorna Krieger. of Coupeville, WA and Helene Cameron, of Everett; numerous nieces and nephews; and great-great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews; and many close friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Edith; sisters, Hjordis Dennie, Sylvia Sweum and Ruth Holm; his brother, Ronald Gulbrandson; and some of his dearest friends.
An informal potluck "106th birthday party" will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 14 at the Red Men Hall at 6814 Washington St. Family and friends are invited to come and share stories about this remarkable man.