Robert Gunderson

Bob "Gundy" Gunderson, a second generation funeral director, lived with a quality all his own. With a fervent desire to serve others, he did so far beyond expectations. Genuine, trustworthy, and loyal, he was a man of honor and dedication whose integrity was well respected within the communities he strived to serve.

One of seven children in the Gunderson home, Bob grew up alongside his brother and five sisters. Bob enjoyed school, having attended Lowell Grade School where he took up the sport of boxing. He loved the sport for which he exceptionally excelled. Even in later years, Bob continued to meet up with a group of classmates from Lowell Grade School to share great conversations and have breakfast together every few months. As he grew up, Bob became more involved in the work of his father, often helping him. His parents opened Gunderson Funeral Home in 1922 which began a long legacy of family serving family.

During his youth, Bob worked for the bakery across the street from their home. At night, one of Bob's jobs was to wrap hams with pastry dough and place them in the ovens to brown all night. During this time, Bob was also attending East High School. Word has it that he was quite popular and had a rather interesting high school career. "Gundy" was no less a big hit with all his friends.

Life as Bob and his family knew it forever changed in 1940. At the age of 14, he experienced the sudden death of his father, only 46 years old, from an unexpected heart attack. His mother, Inez, decided to carry on with the family business at a time when very few women were even in the field of funeral service. She had seven children, a $25,000 dollar mortgage, and a lot of courage.

After Bob graduated from Madison East High School with the Class of 1944, he went on to serve his country for two years during World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific as a gunners mate aboard the U.S.S. St. Croix and the U.S.S. Pasadena.

Upon his honorable discharge, Bob returned home and decided to follow in his parent's footsteps. In 1946 he once again went to work for the funeral home and attended UW-Madison for a semester before going on to the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. He worked through his apprenticeship for two years, and in 1949 received his degree. Bob always remembered how there were 72 students in his class at WIMS and only 3 passed! After Bob attained his license and was just starting out, the Gunderson family business continued to owe a $25,000 mortgage on the funeral home from 1927, and over the years had only been able to meet the interest payments.

The year of 1949 was a busy time for Bob. On August 20, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Shirley Franz in Tomah. Bob was able to help his mother at this time, but Bob and Shirley also purchased a funeral home in DeForest which they operated for the next seven years. Bob procured all the embalming duties for the funeral homes. He was the only individual in his family of origin who joined his mother in the business as his brother went on to become a minister.

Bob and Shirley soon began a family of their own. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Thomas, Ann, Peter, and Jeffrey. As a second generation funeral director, Bob continued the family tradition begun by his parents in 1922. In 1957, Bob and Shirley sold the funeral home in DeForest and joined Bob’s mother in building the present Gunderson Funeral Home at 5203 Monona Drive. In 1964, business increased dramatically. That year, they closed the Schenk’s Corners location and in 1982, after graduating from the University of Minnesota, Peter Gunderson joined his father and grandmother in the funeral service. They all worked together in Monona until 1987 when Bob's mother moved to a retirement home.

Throughout the years, Bob continued his lifelong interest in funeral service. He had a way of bolstering the spirits of the staff. His interest in each of his staff's families and their well being were extraordinarily genuine.

Bob eventually turned the reins over to his son, Peter, and with Pete at the helm, Gunderson Funeral Homes went on to acquire or build funeral homes in Oregon, Middleton, Cross Plains, and Stoughton. Now, after more than 50 years of service, Bob was the retired president of Gunderson Funeral Homes. He continued to serve as an advisor for the family business as it continued through its third generation of care giving. Besides his caring and kind nature, Bob's love of helping those during a time of need was all encompassing.

Bob also spent time helping charitable groups and the people of his community. He served on the board of directors for the East YMCA, Goodwill Industries, Oakwood Lutheran Homes and Monona Grove State Bank for more than 20 years. He was a charter member of the Madison East/ Monona Rotary, and the Monona Grove Business Men's Association and a member of the East Side Business Men's Association. In addition, he was a member of V.F.W. Post No. 7591, the American Legion Post No. 501, Madison Elks No. 410, the Loyal Order of Moose No. 1451, Doric Masonic Lodge, Madison Scottish Rite Bodies, R.O.J., and the Zor Shrine. Bob was also a member and past president of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. As a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bob served as a deacon, usher, trustee and president of the congregation.

Bob "Gundy" Gunderson, age 79, of Monona, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2005. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Shirley; four children, Thomas R. Gunderson of Stoughton, Ann E. (Russ) Gunderson-Wood of Fairbanks, Alaska, Peter J. (Vicki) Gunderson of Cross Plains, and Jeffrey E. (Joy) Gunderson of Stoughton; seven grandchildren, Iris Wood, Heidi Wood, Matt Gunderson, Lauren Gunderson, Kirsten Gunderson, Zander Gunderson, and Skyler Gunderson; siblings, Jeanlyn (Al) Samuelson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mary Ellen (Curt) Ayars of Vermillion, Ohio, Lorraine Carmen of Decorah, Iowa, and the Rev. Charles (Marlys) Gunderson, of Northfield, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; a multitude of friends and a special team of dedicated staff who were always like family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Seville Dorr and Geraldine Vanderhoef.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago St., Madison, at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 10, 2005 with the Rev. John Ruppenthal presiding. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Park immediately following. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 3-8 PM on Friday, July 8, 2005 and from 3-6 PM Saturday, July 9, 2005. Please bring your favorite Ole and Lena stories as you help celebrate Bob's life and remember his gifts to all. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, East Madison/ Monona Coalition of the Aging, HospiceCare, Inc., Home Health United or the charity of the donor's choice. Many special caregivers entered his life that will not be forgotten, from his church family, hospital, clinics, home care and hospice. A special thank you to Dr. Al Musa for his expertise and kindness in taking care of Bob. Please visit wwww.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory and photo of Bob and to sign his online guest book. Arrangements by Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Center (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com.