RACINE - Martin Gulbrandson, 69, passed away at his home surrounded with the love of his family on Sunday, November 19,2006, following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifetime resident, Marty was born in Racine on December 9, 1936, to the late Berger and Margaret (nee: Cerutti) Gulbrandson. On March 16, 1963, in Gethsemane Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Shirley M. Larsen. A 1954 graduate of Washington Park High School, Marty faithfully served our country with the United States Army Reserves from 1959 until 1965 as a Combat Engineer. An accomplished Electrician, Marty was employed by the IBEW Local 430, the union he had been a member of for 51 years. For 45 years, he served in various positions in Local 430 - President, E-Board member, and as Recording Secretary. For over 25 years, he was active with the Local 430 baseball and basketball leagues, both as a player and a coach. He was a longtime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and, of recent, had attended Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church. Marty was an IBEW Retiree and member of the Danish Brotherhood.He enjoyed being up North at their home in Keshena on Lake LaMotte, where he proudly captained the pontoon boat. He always looked forward to family gatherings at home, both in Racine and at the lake. Marty also liked to refurbish furniture(beautifying every piece in their home) and traveling with Shirley, especially to Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii, and Alaska,just to name a few. Thrifty as he was, Marty would often be seen driving around in his beat-up blue station wagon he named "The Turnpiker." Above all, he was an extremely devoted family man,who cherished the times spent with his entire family, especially his four adoring granddaughters he fondly referred to as, "My Ladies." Surviving are his loving wife of over 43 years,Shirley; sons, Kurt Gulbrandson, Chris (Shelley) Gulbrandson,Gregg Gulbrandson, and Brad (Ellen) Gulbrandson, all of Racine; granddaughters, Sydney, Calie, Lyndsey, and Paige Gulbrandson;sister-in-law, Loretta (Ray) Wnuck; nieces and nephews, Scott(Paula) Fiorita, Suzanne Fiorita, Teri Chanlynn, Patti Fiorita,Vincent Fiorita, Eric (Suzy) Wnuck, and Adam (Gina) Wnuck; and by many special friends, especially Fred and Joanne, Ron and Sandy, Marianne, Dorothy, and Bill, Barb and Bill, the Vasilious family, and Scott and Mary. A Memorial service will be celebrated in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Road, on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Kara Baylor officiating. In accordance with Marty's wishes, cremation will take place. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 1 until 3 p.m. In memory of Marty, memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association have been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Bruce Luccas, Dr. Michael Mullane, Dr. James Tierney, and Dr. Bernard Pegis, and all of their dear staff members including Mary Luccas, Laura, Juan, and Kelly; Hospice Alliance; and, above all, to our wonderful friends, neighbors, and co-workers, who have tirelessly supported our entire family during Marty's battle with cancer. We will always remember your kindness and generosity! DRAEGER-LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY 4600County Line Road (corner of KR & Meachem Road) 552-9000www.draeger-langendorf.com Published in the Racine Journal Times on 11/22/2006.