Aaron Gunderson

GUNDERSON STUMPRUD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/26/2010 at 20:34:51

History of Woodbury County 1984

Aaron and Julia Gunderson
By Opal Gunderson

Aaron Gunderson was born in Visnesgred, Norway, February 3, 1859. He came to the United States as a young man and he became a naturalized citizen. He married Julia Amelia Stumprud on December 19, 1889, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. The attendants were Helmer Olden and Miss O Brustran. The Pastor was L Harrisville.

Aaron and Julia came to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and lived in the home, Aaron build for all of their married life, which was 52 years. Aaron was a carpenter by trade and built many homes in Sergeant Bluff and Sioux Cigty and the surrounding country. These included his son, Marvin’s house, and his daughter, Gertrude’s house in Sioux City. They also lived in their homes all of their married lives. In 1906, Aaron went to San Francisco temporarily to help rebuild after the earthquake.

Julia was seamstress and sewed for many people. She also had the first and only millinery shop in Sergeant Bluff. The ladies picked out the style of hat they wanted and then picked out the trimmings of lace, flowers, or feathers, so the hat was handmade to order. The shop was in the large front room of the Gunderson home. In the big bay window was a display of many beautiful hats already made. Passers-by would stop and look, just like looking in store windows today.

Aaron and Julia had five children. Arthur, who married Gertrude Roberts, lived in Long Beach, California, where Arthur had a drug store.

Gertrude married William Strong. He was a railroad man with Chicago, Northwestern Railroad in Sioux City. Gertrude and William had three sosn, William J, George, and Darrell.

George, who married Etta Alt, had a used car business, which he still takes care of in Long Beach, California. George and Etta had two daughters, JoAnn and Georgette.

Marvin married Opal Coombs. They had three daughters, Julia, Patricia, and Billee. Marvin was an insurance man in Sioux City for many years and later worked to Tolerton nd Warfield, which later became National Foods.

Donald married Georgia Watkins. They lived in Balboa, California, where Donald had a drug store. They had one daughter, Donna.

Marvin died in 1971. Donald and Arthur died in 1972, and Gertrude in 1974. Arthur’s wife, Gertrude, died in 1971. Gertrude’s husband, William, died in 1961. George’s wife, Etta, died in 1981.

Donald’s wife, Georgia, lives in Newport Beach, California. Marvin’s wife, Opal, lives in Sioux City.

Julia and Aaron Gunderson now have many descendants-even many great great grandchidlren-but no one has the name of Gunderson.