Obituary of Gunvor Syversen Gudbranson

Gunvor Syversen Gudbranson, 100, entered the presence of the Lord surrounded by her daughters Gerd, Karin and Mona along with her granddaughters Abby McCadam Gay and Ersula Withey Steward, on March 2, 2013. In the days immediately preceding her death, Gunvor had visits and calls from her closest family in the United States, Kuwait and Norway. Gunvor, known as Miss Goodie, spent the last ten months of her life at Central Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Syracuse, after a fall at home. She received excellent care and was well-loved by the staff and residents, for which the family is eternally grateful. On Saturday February 16th, Gunvor had a wonderful 100th birthday celebration with family from Norway, Kuwait, Maine, Georgia, Florida and New York State. All her children were present and many of her grandchildren, along with some great-grandchildren. Gunvor had fun as she visited with great-grandchildren Nilla (13, from Norway), Jade (8), Sophia (4), Wyatt (2), Waylon (1) and great-great-granddaughter Tatiana (one month old). After the catered dinner Gunvor extinguished the candles on her birthday cake. She, along with everyone else, enjoyed the traditional Norwegian desserts, Kransekake (made by granddaughter Nina Aasen) and Riskrem (made by granddaughter Abby Gay). Gunvor was born February 16, 1913 in Lillehammer, Norway. She was the daughter of the late Hans and Nilla Kampesveen Syversen, Follebu, Norway. Gunvor was an accomplished chef in Norway. She married Norman Martin Gudbranson on December 19, 1951 in Lillehammer. Together they ran a mountain resort until the fall of 1952 when they moved to North Dakota, where they opened an authentic Norwegian restaurant in Williston. In 1959, along with their three young children, they moved to Cortland. Gunvor was first nicknamed Goodie by co-workers when she was chef at the Hotel Cortland. Later she was recruited to open the first Holiday Inn in Cortland on River Street. She retired from the Holiday Inn at age 75. In her spare time she enjoyed being with her family, shopping, traveling, gardening, singing and doing needle work. She was an active member of Christian Assembly of God before her move to Syracuse with her daughter Karin and Mike McCadam and their family. Gunvor is survived by her sons Hans (Laila) Syversen of Follebu, Norway; Robert (Tess) Gudbranson of Kuwait; her daughters Gerd Aasen of Lansing; Karin (Michael) McCadam of Syracuse; and, Mona Gudbranson, Bunnell, Florida. She will be remembered with love and great fondness by them along with her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren as well as many nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, Gunvor is predeceased by her husband Norman in July 1993 and her granddaughter Ingrid Mae Bates in November 2005. Gunvor survived all her siblings and is the only one to live to 100. Jeg har stridd den gode strid, Jeg er ferdig med løpet, Jeg har bevart troen I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7. A private service was held Monday (today) at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Avenue, Cortland, New York. Interment will be held later at Glenwood Cemetery, Homer, New York. A Celebration of Life, to remember this great and remarkable lady, will be announced in the summer. Contributions may be made to Syracuse Teen Challenge, 124 Furman Street, Syracuse, NY 13205. To offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com. I was very sorry to here about "Goodie." I will always remember the great times at the Holiday Inn. She was a great co-worker and a greater teacher. I learned a lot about the food business from her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. May she rest in peace! Joe Haskell Dear Karin, Robert and Mona, So sorry to hear about your Mom. What a wonderful lady she was and a wonderful life she had! My Mom and I were just thinking of her a few weeks back,wondering how she was doing and wishing we knew how to contact her. Will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Hope Richardson-Atwater