Maurene Gibson

A very special person, who had so much faith, courage and strength, left us to be with those who went before her. Maurene H. Gibson, 93, of Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo. Maurene Helen Strand was born December 8, 1916, to John E. and Karen E. Strand in rural Abercrombie, North Dakota. She was the first of six children born to this marriage. She grew up on a farm near Abercrombie and attended Eagle No. 8 school which was located just east of the farmstead. She graduated from Abercrombie High School in 1935.Her religious training was at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie where she was confirmed July 6, 1903. After graduation, she did domestic work in the Hickson, North Dakota area. There she met Norris Egge and they were married June 8, 1940, in her folks’ backyard on the farm. They moved to the Egge homestead where they were truck farmers, small grains and livestock. You would often find Maurene driving truck or in the barn or just making meals for the hired help. In 1946, they adopted Geraldine Mary Pickar. They changed her name to Cheryl Lynn and she became their pride and joy. Maurene was very active in the Hickson Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, accompanied the junior choir and was active in the Ladies Aid. In 1958, when Norris became ill, they moved to Fargo where she attended Dakota Business College. Upon completion, she went to work for the Lutheran Student Center at North Dakota State University. She worked there from 1961-1966. She met Everett Gibson in 1975 and they were married September 11, 1976. While they were married they divided their time between the home in Fargo and Mesa, Arizona, where they enjoyed playing golf and playing cards. Everett died October 11, 1999. Maurene entered Bethany Retirement Living in January 2009. She enjoyed her time there and learned to accept her life day by day. You would often hear her say “I take one day at a time.” She was well known to be the historian in the family and made memory books for all of her grandchildren and every part of her life and families. Her family was blessed with her quilts and afghans. Maurene loved her family and loved spending time with them. She was a very caring and giving person. She will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Gary) Gorder, Fargo, ND; their family, Eric (Billie) Gorder; their family, Abbie, Sabrina and Harrison, Detroit Lakes, MN; Derek (Nita) Gorder; their family, Brooke, Cainan, Madison, Fargo, ND; four stepchildren, Lois Winroth, Fargo, ND; Dennis (Mary) Gibson, Montevideo, MN; Vicki (Keith) Poier, Montevideo, MN; Arthur (Peggy) Gibson, Tulsa, OK; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Zelnak, Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law, Doris Strand, Wahpeton, ND; and Deloris Strand, Alexandria, MN. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Norris Egge and Everett Gibson; brothers, John Strand, Elder Strand and Raymond Strand; sister, Jean Paczowski. I am going to miss you so much Mom. You taught me so much about caring for other people. You gave me your strength and faith to live my life. Thank you for adopting me and giving me a wonderful life and setting a wonderful example of being a mom. Funeral Service: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 10:00 AM, at Hope Lutheran Church ~ North, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Monday, November 22, 2010, from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Burial: Lower Red River Wild Rice Cemetery, Hickson, ND.