Douglas Gunderson, Sr.

Douglas L. Gunderson, Sr., was born on January 8, 1947 to Theodore and Elayne (Arends) Gunderson in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm west of Jasper, Minnesota in Moody County, South Dakota. He attended Thompson Country School through the eighth grade and then attended Jasper High School, graduating in 1967. Following school Doug worked for Hanson Silo Company. In 1967, he enlisted into the United States Air Force. He was stationed first at England Air Force Base in Lousianna, and then sent across seas to serve in Fuquet, Vietnam during the war. Doug returned back home and was stationed at Marchfield Air Force base in Riverside, California where he served until his honorable discharge in 1971. While in California, Doug met Cheryl Murray and on June 24, 1972, the couple was married. In 1974, the couple moved to Riverton, Wyoming and Doug took a job as a power linesman at Riverton Valley Electric. In 1986, Doug convinced Cheryl that they should move to the Midwest and they settled in Luverne, Minnesota, where he went to work for the City of Luverne. Due to his health, Doug retired from his job in 2001. At this time, the couple moved to a farm place in Kanaranzi Township. In 2019, the couple returned to living in town.

While in Wyoming, Doug enjoyed camping, fly-fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Doug passed away at the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 79 years, seven months and 29 days.

Doug is survived by his wife, Cheryl; two children, Bronwyn (Robert) Wenzel of Luverne and Douglas Gunderson, Jr. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; four grandchildren, Mason Wenzel, Madilyn Wenzel, Chase Gunderson, and Zachary Gunderson; two siblings, Beth (Tom) Bisson of Jasper, Minnesota, Jan Krapf of New Ulm, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Gunderson of Trosky, Minnesota and Betty (Skip) Gerlach of Elk River, Minnesota; other relatives and friends. He was preceded by his grandson, Derek Gunderson; parents; two brothers, Dean Gunderson and Gary Gunderson and brother-in-law Jim Krapf.

Memorials may be directed to:
Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage
2501 West 22nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105