Gaila Willenbring

Minot

Gaila was born on November 3, 1942, to Carroll and Alice (Groninger) Williams. She was reared and educated in Des Lacs and graduated from high school in 1960.

She attended Minot Business College for one year. After college, Gaila worked at the old Speedway Cafe, Westland Oil as a Bookkeeper, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she did typing and Weight Watcher’s.

She had a lifelong passion for sewing; her biggest projects were making a wedding gown, many prom dresses, and making western shirts for her grandson Wyatt. She also enjoyed doing many crafts, like ceramics.

Gaila married Donnie Eckert on October 12, 1963. She joined Donnie at the E7 Ranch on Lake Darling, where they raised horned prized Herford bulls, pigs, chickens and horses for 20 years. Gaila loved watching the calves running and jumping around in the spring. She made pies every day and also cooked for many people while Donnie worked the cattle.

Gaila often helped Donnie work leading the bulls and getting them ready for the show ring. Gaila also helped with harvesting crops and her garden. She was a very busy farmer- rancher’s wife, she loved all animals, especially cats. On December 30, 1982, Donnie died from a tragic farm accident.

After Donnie’s passing, Gaila moved to Minot to be closer to family. She and another lady in town made many teddy bears and knit little beanies for newborn babies for Trinity. They received a letter from Congress thanking them for their dedication.

She eventually invested in an embroidery machine, which grew her crafting operation significantly. She had a great time making large, beautiful Christmas stockings for friends and family.

Gaila married Donald Willenbring on November 3, 1990. She continued sewing, crafting, and knitting wonderful sweaters, lining them and putting in zippers, in Minot. Donald continued working on his farm until he passed away on March 30, 2020.

Gaila regularly attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Minot for many years. She enjoyed going to the “Breakfast Club” at Homesteader’s Restaurant for breakfast every Sunday after Mass. She will be missed dearly by all her friends and family.

Gaila is survived by: her twin sister Glenda Carlson and her family in Michigan to include Glenda’s son Todd (Stephanie) and their children: Bryan, and Samantha; Glenda’s daughter Aletta and her children: Mathew, Joey and Nathan; Glenda’s son Shawn and his children: Hali, Michaela and Jered; Glenda’s son Brody (Stephanie) and their children: Shelby and

Stephen; Glenda’s daughter Bethany and her children: James and Ricky; Gaila’s sister, Lana (Mike) Nelson and her family to include their son Jonas (Colorado); Dane Anderson; Kaleb (Ensley) Minot; son Jason (Jen) and their children: Aaron, Laurel (Sean) Wilton, Maggie, all from NE; Gaila’s sister in law Sandy Williams and her family to include: Scott, GA, Tara (Jason) Pruett, Claire, VA, Aly (Jason) St. Ours, GA. Aunt, La Vonne Andreasen, NJ; Eckert family to include: Marilyn (Bill) Goheen, Kelly (Rick) Hoffart, Minot; children: Brooke, Shad, of Colorado, Meg, of Kentucky, Shane family: Brandon, Wyatt, Logan, Minot, Heidi Kuehl family children: Carley, Andrea, Fargo, Mallory, MN. Joyce Martin, Des Lacs Family: Jill (Donnie) Fladeland ND: children: Jessica (Dick) Woodbury, Kami (Russ) Kling, Todd Martin, Des Lacs, Children: DJ, Jack (Kari) children: Dustin, Brook, SD, Rhonda (Tim) Murphy KS, children: Logan, Taylor, KS. Willenbring family: Diana (Tony) Fowler, Minot, Darla (lance) Johnson, Glenburn, Deb (Byron) Grabow, Mandan, Donavan, Foxholm, Danny Oliphant MN; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

Gaila was preceded in death by her parents, Carroll and Alice Williams; brother, Curtis Williams; 1st husband, Donnie Eckert; 2nd husband, Donald Willenbring; Donald’s 2 daughters: Dora Willenbring, Doreen Oliphant, and son of Donalds Douglas Willenbring; brother in laws Bill Carlson, and Bruce Martin; nephew, Donavan Williams, and Gaila’s longtime best friend Audrey Phillips.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday July 24, 2025 at 10 a.m. in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. A recording of the service will be available for viewing on Gaila’s obituary page on the Thomas Family Funeral Home Website.

Visitation: Wednesday July 23, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, with a vigil prayer service to follow.

Burial: Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Foxholm

Published by The Minot Daily News July 22, 2025

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