Delores Jean Gunderson

Delores Jean Gunderson passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Firstlight Hospital surrounded by her family at the age of 76. Delores was born October 9, 1939 to Lawrence and Viola (Garvin) Malo in Osakis, Minnesota. She graduated from Evansville High School in 1957. On November 16, 1961 she married Arnold Jacob Gunderson. Together they farmed in Veblen, South Dakota. All four of their children were born in Veblen, South Dakota. The family moved to Willow River, Minnesota in 1981. It was after Delores and Arnold divorced in 1994 that she moved closer to her now grown children in Pine City, Minnesota at the Hillside Court apartments where she lived for the last 21 years. At the age of 14 Delores had developed rheumatic fever. The sickness left her with damaged heart valves which led to many open heart surgeries and a stroke at 50 years old. Delores spent most of her life as a homemaker and was only occasional employed outside of the home due to her health condition. When she could, she enjoyed working as nurses’ aid, in the school kitchen and sewing at the Dakota Factory in South Dakota. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, reading and spending time with her family. She loved going to all of the grandchildren’s’ games and events. Delores and her family took many vacations together, her favorite trip was visiting the Grand Ol’ Opry. Delores was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Faith Circle. She was also a frequent visitor at the Church of Victory in Askov, Minnesota. Delores is survived by her daughter Darla Johnson and her husband Paul of Pine City, sons Larry (Suzan) Gunderson of Bruno and DuWayne and his wife Sharon of Sturgeon Lake, sister Eldora Finnegan and her husband Bob of Osakis, 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Viola (Garvin) Malo and infant daughter Wanda Sue Gunderson. Pastor Marlyn Degerstrom will officiate funeral services for Delores; 2:30 PM Monday, January 18, 2015 at the Swanson Chapel in Pine City, a time of visitation and reviewal is planned for 12:30-2:30 PM at the chapel prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Milburn Cemetery, Pine City Township. Funeral arrangements for Delores Gunderson are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Swanson Chapel, Pine City, Minnesota. www.funeralandcremationservice.com