Wallace Gunderson

Wallace Lloyd Gunderson was born on August 19, 1926 on a farm near Kensington, MN to Walter and Mae Gunderson. He was baptized September 12, 1926 and confirmed at Lands Lutheran Church in Hoffman on June 1, 1941. Wally graduated from Hoffman Public School high school in 1944. Wally was united in marriage to Jeanne Strom on July 16, 1944. With the help of their family, Wally and Jeanne built their home in Hoffman in 1960. To this union the couple was blessed with four children. Wally worked road construction as a blade operator for many years. He also helped Maynard Nordquist with electrical work and piano repair. In 1972, Wally and Jeanne purchased Wally?s Shoe Shop and Small Engine Repair. He also drove school bus in Hoffman. Wally was a member of the Hoffman Lions Club and the Commercial Club, in which he held offices. He enjoyed playing baseball, which he did for 30 years where he was a pitcher and known as ?Lefty Gunderson? for the Hoffman town team, and was drafted by Kensington for State playoffs. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, camping, traveling, dancing, and horses (was wagon master of the Grant County Wagon Train). Attending the family music concerts was his passion. He also enjoyed going to the grandchildren?s activities and watching MN Twin?s baseball. Wally died on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at the Hoffman Good Samaritan Center at the age of 83. He is preceded in death by parents, Walter & Mae Gunderson, sister, Dorothy; and brother, Lester. Wally is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jeanne; children, Jack (Linda) Gunderson of Washburn, WI; Vivian (Sam) Bentley of Maple Grove, MN; Jerry (Karin) Gunderson of Phoenix, AZ; and Faye (Terry) Giese of Hoffman, MN; grandchildren: Sara (Shawn) Clough, Michele (Jaime) Perez, Allison Hagen, Amy (Justin) Puchalski, Andrew (friend, Kelsey Bennett) Giese, Joy and Ryan Gunderson; great grandchildren, Ashley, Jeffrey and Hope Clough; Jayce and Isabelle Puchalski; brothers, Gordy and Roger ?Bud?(Yvonne) Gunderson; sisters, Joanne (Winton) Zagrabelny, and Donna Mae (Rene) Anderson; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service was held on Monday, July 5, 2010 at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman with Reverend Steve Olson officiating. Music was provided by the Gunderson family. Inurnment was held in Lands Lutheran Cemetery in Hoffman. Honorary urn bearers were Raymer Stock, Arnold Westrum, Kenneth Lindor, Rollin Soderholm, Donald Olson, Harvey Beuckens and Jerome Nordquist. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria