Gail grew up on farms in Cedar and Lake Park, Minnesota. It must have been there that she adopted the farmer's "can do" attitudes of independence and determination, which she never lost. She was only 15 when her spinal cord injury happened but she never let her wheelchair
define her. She met all challenges head-on and conquered them. After graduation from Lake Park High School she went on to college, graduating from U of M Duluth (Go Bulldogs!) and a few years later shifted gears to go back to school to learn computer programming. She had many, many years as a successful IT specialist and was working full-time in that field for UNFI (formerly SuperValu) up to the time she passed away. Despite the difficulties of living as a quadriplegic Gail loved to travel with family and friends. One of her most memorable adventures was a Baltic Sea cruise ending with a week long stay with her distant cousin Eva in Sweden. Their life-long friendship began as pen pals when neither of them had barely learned to write; translated in the early years from English to Swedish, or Swedish to English by Gail's great-aunt Anna. Eva and her family have made multiple visits to MN over the years that Gail absolutely loved! Gail liked to be busy but also loved to sit in the sun and read a good book. She did needlework projects and jigsaw puzzles but really preferred being outdoors whenever possible. Tending her garden, feeding the birds, but seeing the rabbits and deer munch her hard work? Not so much. She also enjoyed visiting the casino and going to watch the Twins play baseball. Family was important to Gail. Her quick wit and dry sense of humor added to the decibel levels of our large gatherings. She may have been a little competitive with her siblings but she loved connecting with her 12 nieces and nephews and now the "greats". Having one of the little ones on her lap for "a ride" after a long day at the fair or the zoo or Rollag or Mall of America was a treat for her, the kids and their tired parents. She spent many hours pushing the swing for the kids while they were growing up. "Happy to swing me, Gail?" is one of the often repeated phrases that brings back many happy memories. Supportive family, friends, caregivers, coworkers and neighbors contributed to Gail living an independent life. Utimately it was her own grit and determination (maybe some call that stubbornness) that served her best of all. Gail is survived by her much loved and spoiled canine companion, Roger; her mother, Jean Anderson (also much loved); her 6 siblings, Wanda (Bill) Sikora, Anita (John) Goulett, Dan (Nadine) Anderson, Leroy (Donna) Anderson, Jim (Abby) Anderson, and Karen (Lloyd) Feldt; 12 nieces and nephews (and spouses) and 20 great nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her father, Philip (Buzz) Anderson and great-niece, Autumn Safar. Gail donated generously to many causes. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice. Funeral Service will be held, Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 19001 Jackson St., East Bethel, MN. 55011.