Fern Helen Gunderson

Visitation: 12:00PM to 1:00PM Tuesday December 11, 2007 Chandler Community Center, Chandler, Minnesota Service: 1:00PM Tuesday December 11, 2007 Chandler Community Center, Chandler, Minnesota Fern Helen Gunderson was born August 12, 1924 to Charles and Lena (Zimmerman) Grogan on a farm in Pipestone County near Hatfield, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and at the age of two, moved with her family to a farm outside of Chandler, MN. Fern attended Country School District #94 and worked on the farm with her family. On March 8, 1950 Fern married Orville “Orie” Gunderson in Lake Wilson, MN and they made their home on the Gunderson homestead. They farmed there until 1998 when they moved into Chandler. Fern was a housewife and loved the outdoors, working alongside her husband on the farm, raising chickens and caring for the yard. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler and recently had joined the Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. Over the years Fern was very active in her church, it’s women’s activities and the Naomi Circle. She also sang in a duet for many years with Lorraine Swart and then Betty Bondhus. Fern was also an active member of the Ezra Barrows Auxiliary in the Chandler American Legion. She enjoyed her mowing and yard work, reading, crocheting, sewing and just being outdoors. She will always be remembered for her wonderful egg coffee, cookies and pie. After her husband, Orie’s death in 2002, Fern remained in Chandler until 2005 when she became a resident of the Slayton Manor, now the Golden Living Care Center in Slayton, MN. On Friday, December 7, 2007 Fern died at the Murray County Memorial Hospital in Slayton, MN at the age of 83. Fern is survived by her one daughter, Laurel (Steven) Abraham of Rapid City, SD; one granddaughter, Gretchen Abraham of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother-in-law, Gordon Gunderson of Minneapolis, MN; one sister-in-law, Hermina “Polly” Rassmussen of Skandia, MN; nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Her husband, Orie, parents, one granddaughter, Heather Duncan, five brothers, Clarence, Charles, Emmet, Allen and Woodrow; and one sister, Edna Smith preceded her in death.