Arvis Gunderson, 1934-2016

Published 9:00 am Sunday, May 15, 2016

Arvis E. Gunderson, 82, of Adams passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2016. She died peacefully surrounded by her family.

Arvis E. Lukens was born Feb. 14, 1934, in Alden, the daughter of Ellis and Verda (Hosford) Lukens.

Arvis Gunderson

Arvis Gunderson

She attended Albert Lea High School where she met Allen, the love of her life, while sharing first chair in the trumpet section in band. She graduated in 1952 and then attended Mankato Teachers College. She married Allen Gunderson July 7, 1953, in Garner, Iowa.

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Arvis was a member of Little Cedar Lutheran Church. She had incredible faith and took time each day for daily devotions and prayer. As a pastor’s wife, she had a flair for entertaining and welcomed anyone who walked through her door. She was an amazing cook — her children are still trying to figure out her special salad recipe. She loved playing bridge, shopping and having lunch with her sisters-in-law and friends. One of her favorite things was the yearly trip to Mesa, Arizona, where she and Allen camped with their many friends.

Arvis had a great talent in creating floral arrangements. She worked at T & R Supply in LaMoure, North Dakota, where she discovered this love. After she and Allen moved the family to Adams, she worked at Bank Boutique and continued to create and sell her arrangements. Arvis also worked at Wagner’s Super Valu and made many friends in the 28 years she worked there.

Her greatest joy in life was giving. She was a faithful caregiver to her aging parents and to her husband when he became ill. She was a loving mother to six children, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Arvis is survived by her children Lee (Julie) Gunderson and family of Algona, Iowa, Vicki (John) Kiefer and family of Adams, Tim (Tristine) Gunderson and family of Owatonna, Janey Murphy and family of Wautaga, Texas, Pamela (Steve) Bamrick and family of Adams and Kristopher Gunderson of Adams; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Irving (Kyoko) Gunderson of Olympia, Washington, Wayne (Shirley) Gunderson of Albert Lea, Julie Wrolson of Albert Lea, Paul (Joanne) Gunderson of Elk River and Sandy (Craig) Stevens of Albert Lea.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams. The Rev. Jeremy Johnson will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Adams Funeral Home and at the church one hour before the service.