Lillian Bell (Elliott) GUNDERSON

GUNDERSON, ELLIOTT, GROVES, HANSEN, NEKLUTIN, BEVANS, MOOREFIELD, NEUFER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/2/2006 at 00:04:07

December 8, 2003
Copyright The Indianapolis Star

Lillian Bell Elliott Gunderson, was born to Charles Henry Elliott and Mattie Ethel Groves Elliott on January 21, 1908 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her childhood was spent in Battle Creek. She graduated from Thomas M. Cooley High School in Detroit, Michigan in June 1942. Lillian married Oscar Melbourne Gunderson, a first generation Norwegian from Eagle Grove, Iowa, on September 4, 1929. He was a Civil Engineer who graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 21, 1928. Their daughter, Jean, was born March 26, 1933 in Flint, Michigan. During their 57 12 years of marriage Lillian and Oscar called several places home. As newlyweds they lived in Flint, Michigan. Later, with Jean, they lived in Chicago, Illinois; Lansing, Michigan; and Detroit, Michigan. After Oscar died on February 27, 1987 she lived with her daughter in Indianapolis, Indiana.In Detroit, she worked as Secretary for St. Paul;s Memorial Episcopal Church from 1942 to 1958.She studied Art with Sister Angeline at Madonna Jr. College in Livonia, Michigan from 1960 to 1985. Many relatives and friends cherish one of her 100+ oil paintings. She continued to study water colors in Indianapolis.She made all of Jean;s clothes until she was 8, many of her grandchildren;s clothes, and many clothes for their Barbie dolls. At the same time she knitted and crocheted many afghans. She had also knitted countless sweaters for grandchildren; great-grandchildren, and friends.She had been a member of the PEO sorority from 1953 to the present. (Chapter AU in Detroit, Michigan and Chapter CN in Indianapolis, Indiana.)She was active in the Paideian Book Club in Detroit, Michigan and joined the Newcomers Book Club July 1998 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She read 2-4 books each week and also worked the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper.She is survived by daughter, Jean; son-in-law, Nikolas Forbes Hansen, M.D.; grandchildren, Catherine Elizabeth Hansen Neklutin, Ph.D., Kendall Elliott Hansen, M.D., Cynthia Elaine Hansen Moorefield, D.D.S., Susan Clarissa Hansen Bevans, M.T., Christopher Melbourne Hansen; and seven great-grandchildren, Chad Nathaniel Hansen, Brandon Andrew Bevans, Nicolette Paige Hansen, Jeremy Michael Bevans, Heather Nicole Bevans, Isabella Monique Hansen, and Austin David Moorefield.She is also survived by her sister, Gertrude R. Elliott Neufer (DOB 4151916) in Concord, Michigan, a brother, Jesse Groves Elliott (DOB 10171919) in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee and eight nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 10 West 61st Street. Memorial contributions may be made to Dayspring Center, 1537 N. Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center - Washington Park North.