Merril Gunderson 1917-2005

GUNDERSON, NELSON, HAAS, KOZELKA, FROMONG, MANSON, LARSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 6/10/2005 at 21:10:07

Merril Gunderson

Funeral Services for Merril Gunderson were held Friday, June 3, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in the East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural, Clermont, Iowa. The Reverend Harold McMillin officiated. The organist was Lois Dummermuth and the soloist was Clarence Amundson. The Casket Bearers were: James Larson, Oliver Larson, Kurt Rueber, Dale Rueber, Roger Amundson, and Charles Thorson. Burial was in the East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Clermont was in charge of arrangements.

Merril Evan Gunderson was born April 26, 1917 to Edwin and Emma (Nelson) Gunderson. He died May 30, 2005 at the Guttenberg Care Center, at Guttenberg, Iowa, at the age of 88 years.

He was baptized April 28, 1917 and confirmed May 8, 1932. He attended the Clermont Schools and then farmed from 1933 until 1991. He married Lorraine Haas July 2, 1940, and they enjoyed 64 years together. To this union three children were born: Carol Ann, Evan, and Joan. Merril and Lorraine retired from farming and moved to West Union in 1991.

Merril served on the church council, was co-chairman of the church building addition committee, served on the Clermont Creamery board 9 years, served on the Clermont Co-op board of directors, and was a member of the committee that purchased the 1952 fire truck for Clermont. Farming and watching sports on TV were his biggest interests.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Merril Georgie, his infant son, Evan, his parents, Edwin and Emma, and his two sisters, Beulah Kozelka and Verla Gunderson.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, a daughter, Carol Ann Fromong, West Union, IA, daughter, Joan (Paul) Manson, Guttenberg, IA, three grandchildren, Sarah Fromong, Decorah, Matt Manson, Minneapolis, MN, and Melissa Manson, League City, TX, and a niece, Gail (Larry) Larson, Olympia, WA.

Postville Herald-Leader, Thursday, June 9, 2005