Mary Gunderson

Mary Ellen Gunderson, 82, died Friday, April 15, 2011 at the Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion. Funeral services will be 11:00am Monday, April 18, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church, Parker with burial in Rosehill Cemetery, Parker. Visitation with family present will be from 5-7:00pm Sunday at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Mary Ellen Heldenbrand was born on February 13, 1929 at Verdon, SD to Lester and Lodema (Kronk) Heldenbrand. She attended country schools in various towns following her father’s employment with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. On February 15, 1947 she was united in marriage to Russell Gunderson at Luverne, MN. They made their home in the Humboldt area where they farmed and raised their 5 children. After retiring and moving to Parker in 1976 they traveled to many destinations, Alaska and Hawaii being two of their favorites. Russell died in 1984. Mary continued to live in the same house in Parker, she traveled until her health wouldn’t allow it. She was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, Parker and enjoyed spending time with her friends, family, and with church activities. Mary met Sidney Knutson and they were united in marriage in October of 1988. Sidney and Mary also traveled as much as possible. Sidney died in 2001. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Doug (Karen), Sioux Falls, Robert (Peggy), Willis, TX, Jean (Mike) Johnson, Vancouver, WA, Joanne Holmberg, Federal Way, WA, Janet Jaques, Parker, Donna Gunderson, Parker, and Shirley Gunderson, Sioux Falls; 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; a brother, Jim (Amina) Heldenbrand, Coral Springs, FL: sisters, Betty Rayburn, Hurley, Pat Wiles, Lewisville, TX, and Phyllis Heldenbrand, Mason City, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Russell, brothers Boyd and Bill Heldenbrand, husband Sidney, and a granddaughter, Jaime Johnston.