Anundsen, John K. "Jack" 1929 - 2019

ANUNDSEN, KILLEN, GLICK, MAGEE, OLEARY, BULLARD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

U.S. Veteran
John K. “Jack” Anundsen, 90, of Decorah and Naples, FL passed away peacefully on July 25, 2019 at Vitas Inpatient Hospice Unit in Naples from complications from breaking both hips. He had been in declining health for some time.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Allen Vik and Rev. James Glesne officiating. Inurnment will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah with Military Honors.

Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, one before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church.

Jack was born on January 31, 1929 to Brynjolf Bjorkholt (B. B.) and Doris Ellen (Killen) Anundsen in Decorah, IA. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a degree in Commerce in 1951. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was in ROTC during college and joined the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Jack married Mary Eleanor (Ellie) Glick daughter of Arthur and Kathleen (Magee) Glick of Creston, IA on September 10, 1952 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Ellie was employed as a stenographer in the U. S. Air Force where Jack was stationed. They were married almost 56 years.

Following his discharge from the Air Force Jack and Ellie returned to Decorah in April of 1953 where he went into business with his father B. B. Anundsen at the Anundsen Publishing Company and Decorah Newspapers. Later in his career he was involved in Genealogy printing and lectured at many conventions helping people get their family trees ready for printing. He became involved in the cable television business and purchased Teleview Systems Corporation with his good friend Bob Houlihan and was owner of Cobie Office Supply.

He was very invested in Decorah and volunteered and served in many ways including Nor Ski Runs which he helped design and build. He taught many people how to ski. He was heavily involved in the Decorah Ski Association for many years. He was a member of the Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Decorah Jobs, the Decorah Betterment Association, Decorah Development, the Decorah Park Board for many years, the Drive for the new Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital and served as the official photographer for the Nordic Fest. He was Grand Marshall of the Nordic Fest parade along with Mabel White in 1998. He was a long-time member of Decorah Lutheran Church.

His family was very important to him. He was involved with his sons’ school and extracurricular activities as well as camping, ski and water skiing, golf and photography.

Jack and Ellie lived part time in Florida for many years. His boat was one of his biggest passions. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing on the Gulf of Mexico with family and friends. They traveled extensively all over the world.

About a year after Ellie’s passing in June of 2008, Jack and Carole Rambo became companions.

It was a wonderful relationship. They continued to share time between Decorah and Florida. They traveled extensively together and enjoyed their many friends. Jack taught Carole how to play golf. As Jack’s health began to decline in his later years Carole was a loving, faithful, patient and caring companion.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Ellie on June 7, 2008 and his parents Brynjolf Bjorkholt Anundsen on August 8, 1984 and Doris Ellen (Killen) Anundsen on September 4, 1986.

He is survived by his two sons Erik of Decorah, IA, his wife Melanie and their son Nicholas at home; Steve of Littleton, CO his wife Laura and their three children: Sara Lynn (Tom) O’Leary of Charlottesville, VA, Evan James of Denver, CO and Scott Thomas (Kate) of Denver, CO and one great grandson Luke O’Leary of Charlottesville, VA; his companion Carole Rambo; his sister Jane Bullard (Jim) of Decorah, and their three children Bruce, Brad and Beth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Decorah Parks and Recreation Memorial Fund in the name of Jack Anundsen, P.O. Box 513, 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 or W. M. C. Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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