Elda Lorene (Trudell) Gabrielson went to her Lord and Savior on November 15, 2024. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, just where she wanted to be.

Elda was born on July 22, 1938, to Ray and Florence (Johnson) Trudell in Sidney, Montana. She was born the 4th of 8 Trudell children. They grew up on the family ranch, located between Sioux Pass and Nohly, Montana. She was extremely proud of her upbringing and cherished her lifelong friends and relatives from the Fairview and Sidney area. She was also a wonderful storyteller and all thoroughly enjoyed her accounts of the antics and “terrifying moments” that took place on the ranch! Elda was extremely small as a young child and could stand upright beneath the family table. Her dad thought that was so cute that he called her “Shortie,” a nickname still used by her siblings.

Elda started school when she was barely 5 and went through the 3rd grade at the Bawden School and the Deer Trail School, both country schools near the ranch. It was during this time that she told the stories of her terrifying rides on the Trudell school bus, which was a horse driven cart that had a tiny window to look through. All loved to listen to her recite that funny story! Elda continued her schooling in Sidney and because the ranch was much too far to travel each day, her mother and 3 of her siblings stayed in the “shack” in town and went home on the weekends. She proudly graduated with the Sidney Class of 1955 and throughout the years, she continued many friendships with her classmates and visited many of them often.

Following graduation, she attended Kinman Business in Spokane, Washington. Moving to Washington was a long way from home for this country girl, but she went with one of her friends, Betty Jensen, who later became her sister-in-law. Upon completion at Kinman, Elda moved to Billings, MT and worked as a secretary at a bank and was a roommate with another classmate and life-long friend, Clarice Cummins (now Opsta). It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Cliffton “Kipp” Gabrielson. He was also from Sidney and was attending college after being honorably discharged from the Army.

Kipp and Elda were married in Sidney on September 14, 1957. The first few years were spent in Billings and Laurel, Montana and Gillette, Wyoming; finishing up his schooling as an educator and teaching school. They were overjoyed when Kipp was offered a teaching job in Sidney in 1962. Soon after moving back home, they built their own home and lived there throughout their lives. She was the quintessential homemaker and was an excellent cook, baker, flower gardener, musician and seamstress. Elda is probably best known for being the town’s “Avon Lady.” She sold Avon for more than 50 years! She loved the visiting and travelling around town and keeping up-to-date on the latest beauty products. As a testament to her dedication to her beauty regiment, her skin was still beautiful at the age of 86!

Kipp and Elda had 3 children: Brenda, Karen and Neil. Elda was a strong supporter of all her kids’ activities and was always willing to volunteer. In younger years, no distance was too far to travel if one of her kids or grandkids were participating in any sport or activity. In later years, she would listen intently to the games on the radio or TV and just a week before her death, she was cheering on her great granddaughter and daughter-in-law’s volleyball games! She loved being involved in all of their lives.

Elda was a member of the Sons of Norway and Lonsdale United Methodist Church. She loved her Church Family and had a strong, unshakeable faith. She was an active member throughout the years and even attended the bible-study, via phone call, 8 days prior to her passing. She loved being able to participate in all the decision making and appreciated all who came to her, since she was unable to attend in person. She was especially grateful to Pastor Sione for his regular visits and bringing communion to her bedside and his singing! He made her feel so blessed and special!

Elda had difficulty with her legs and knees for several years and in April of 2019, she got a severe infection which eventually led to her being bedridden. She chose to live at her home as she loved the privacy and being surrounded by her “treasures” and loved ones. She was extremely grateful to her healthcare providers that loved her and cared for her and allowed her to remain in her home where she wanted to be.

Elda is survived by her children Brenda (Tim) Larson of Sidney, Karen Haugjorde of Williston, North Dakota and Neil (Jerlyn) Gabrielson of Flasher, North Dakota and 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Irene Emly of Sidney, Montana, Mary Lou Miller of Wolf Point, Montana, Dennis (Robin) Trudell of Fairview, Montana, Gene (Nancy) Trudell of Sidney, Montana; sisters-in-law Betty Trudell of Sidney, Montana and JoAnn Trudell of Montrose, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kipp; parents Ray and Florence Trudell; brothers Russ, Jerry and Paul Trudell; brothers-in-law Albert Emly and Dale Miller; in-laws Ingvald and Anna Gabrielson and all of Kipp’s siblings and their spouses: Jewell (Les) Sorensen, Goldie (Fred) Warzynski, Martin Gabrielson, Grant “Bud” (Shirley) Gabrielson and Mary (Harvey) Johnson.

Memorial Contribution