Rodney A. Gunderson

   Rodney Gunderson, 85, of Erskine, MN passed away November 5^th, 2021 peacefully with his family by his side, at Fosston Essential Health.

   Rodney was born March 14, 1936 at rural Cummings, ND to Gust and Hilda (Gustafson) Gunderson.  He attended school in Buxton, ND.  On December 6, 1957 he married the love of his life, Lila Jean Fyre at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Rodney served in the US Army from 1956-1958, and was stationed in Japan.  He returned to the Buxton area where he farmed. He was a member of the Mayville American Legion Post #8 and was proud of the military service he gave to the country. In June, 2021 Rodney was presented with the Quilt of Valor.

   Rodney lived in the Mayville ND most of his life with the last 8 years in Erskine MN.  While living in Mayville, Rodney worked at Mayville State University Power Plant as a Boiler Operator for 39 years. He was also known as the man that could fix anything, he created/owned and operated Gundy’s Parts and Appliance, where he fixed washers, dryers and almost anything that was broken.  After retirement, he worked for the Mayville Park Board and traveled to Texas during the winter months with his loving wife.

   Rodney was very active in the community and served on the Aurdal Church Council for many years. He also spent many hours volunteering with the Mayville Ambulance Services, Fire Department, and Mayville Comet Chain Gang. He was competitive by nature and loved sports including, softball, fast pitch softball, horseshoes, umping softball games and playing cards and games with friends and family.

   Rodney was a loving husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. What he enjoyed the most was spending time together and making memories with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was kind, loving, generous, and always had a smile on his face and a hug to give.   The precious memories of him will forever be cherished by his family and all who knew him.

   Rodney is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lila Jean of Erskine; 2 sons: Randy (Jan) Gunderson of Thompson ND and Todd (Delene) Gunderson of Berthoud CO; daughter: Laurie (Mark) Coleman of Erskine MN; 14 grandchildren: Dana and Abby Gunderson, Lindsay (Mitch) Noltimier, Ben Gunderson, Jocelyn and Bryan Haux, Trisha, Scott and Caleb Coleman, Shelby (Mitch) Krueger, Jacob Gunderson, Dustin (Lauren), Nikki and Kristen Lee; and 12 great grandchildren; his siblings: Myron (Donna) Gunderson of Mesa, AZ, Dennis (Lorna) Gunderson of Grand Forks, ND and Diane Kvitne of Hillsboro, ND; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Gunderson of Grand Forks, ND and Valerie Gunderson of Buxton, ND; a brother-in-law: Richard Fyre of Alexandria, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, children; Lonny, twins; Loren and Lisha, siblings, Helene Brend, Mavis Couchigan, Rosalie Lindstrom, Orville, Gayhart, Gordon and Wallace Gunderson. 

Visitation:  Will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors.

Burial: Will be in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND.