Gary Lee Fulsebakke, age 73, went home to the Lord on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at a Rolette nursing home. His funeral will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be at the church starting at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the International Peace Garden, Eventide Senior Living or the Peace Lutheran Church.

Gary was born March 4, 1953 at Minot (?), ND, the firstborn child of James and Mildred (Lervik) Fulsebakke. Gary and his three siblings grew up on the family farm bordering the International Peace Garden – which was a foretelling of Gary’s interest in music. Gary was a lifelong learner - he graduated from Dunseith High School, received a B.S. in Music Education from Minot State University, an M.M in Vocal Performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, a Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, worked on a PhD in Music Education from the University of North Dakota, and completed numerous acting, vocal, and choral workshops. Gary could speak and write Norwegian, speak French, and sing in many other languages.

Education and music opportunities led Gary to Kansas, New York City, and Virginia. Sharing his God-given gifts of music and voice was very important to Gary as he sang professionally with the Opera Theater of St. Louis, the Kansas City Lyric Opera, the Roanoke Symphony, the Minot Symphony, and lent his voice to numerous local and community theaters, including Fort Totten Little Theater. He was a vocal instructor at the Kansas City Academy of Arts, a TV host for PBS fundraisers, and a voice for radio and TV commercials in Virginia. After moving back to ND, he taught music at the International Peace Garden, Lake Region State College, and schools in Fort Totten, Four Winds, Rugby, and Minnewaukan.

Gary enjoyed being active and was constantly on the move with water skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiles, swimming, golf, jet skis, boating, and racquetball. For years he maintained a home at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where he expertly completed woodwork, flooring, and lake shore projects himself. He always supported other actors and performers and seldom missed a concert or drama performance wherever he lived. Gary was a collector of musical instruments and owned numerous guitars, keyboards, sound systems, and other instruments, as well as having wall-to-wall bookshelves filled with Christian books and sheet music. Gary loved to travel and visited all major American cities, toured Europe, and twice visited Norway to explore his Scandinavian heritage.

Ministry is where Gary’s many talents were shown most brightly, and he felt the happiest. He was the Music and Youth Minister at churches in Virginia and pastor of Christ Free Lutheran Church in Devils Lake for almost 20 years. He felt leading others to Christ as their Savior was his greatest achievement and could name numerous congregational members – young and old- though long gone.

In later years, Gary endured severe diabetes, a heart attack, and dementia. Though confused by and due to his illnesses, Gary could still easily recall Bible verses and hymns and felt most comfortable in worship services. Special thanks to the staff of Eventide/Lake Country Manor in Devils Lake and Rolette Community Care for their tender and patient care of Gary, to his sister Shelly and special friends Phil and Brenda Langerud for their care and concern for Gary’s continued well-being.

Gary is survived by his sister Shelly and husband Mike Albertson of St. John, their children - son Nathan and wife Chalsie, daughter Heather and husband Thomas Carrell , sister in law Marlee Rae of Bottineau, their children - son Joshua and wife Mindy, daughter Brittany (Lee) Westby, and his brother Joel of Dunseith and Joel’s daughter Rochelle (Donavan) Olson along with numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Fulsebakke; nephew Logan Fulsebakke; and niece Mandy Fulsebakke.

Gary’s love of music continues with the donation of his grand piano to the music program at Minot State University. There is no doubt that the music and worship in Heaven have been enriched since Gary’s arrival there. Rest in Peace, Good and Faithful Servant