C. Gordon Amundson

C. Gordon Amundson, 83, Wayzata, Minnesota died Thursday, December 17, 2009. C. Gordon Amundson was born to Carl J. and Gurina (Nelson) Amundson on November 24, 1926 at Ulen, Minnesota. Gordon took his first airplane ride at Minneapolis in 1936. He soon soloed and by 1941 had earned his Private license and many additional ratings. He joined the US Navy in 1944 and served as crew of an LST that took troops ashore during the invasion of Okinawa. Following the war, Amundson worked for Valley Flying Service at Grand Forks, ND, then was hired by North Central Airlines as line mechanic, crew chief and eventually Manager of Technical Training, instructing mechanics and flight personnel. Amundson served the CAP, the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve as maintenance advisor and earned the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. After his retirement from North Central, he set up his own mechanic trainings school at his home, consulting with homebuilders and restorers, and tutoring hundreds of today's mechanics and flight technicians. He married Carol Mae Larson on October 3, 1948. They made their home in Wayzata, Minnesota. He is survived by his children, Stephen (Barbara) Amundson, Kearney, NE, and Theresa (Mario) Calderon, Madison, WI; grandchildren, John (Jill) Amundson, Minneapolis, MN, Kelly (Jay) Beaudry, Chanhassen, MN, Todd Peterson, Apple Valley, MN, Angelina Calderon, Boston, MA, Alejandra Calderon, St. Paul, MN, Alba Calderon, Madison, WI; great grandchildren, Sydney Beaudry, Keaton and Avery Amundson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carol, and a brother Willis. A memorial service celebrating Gordon's life will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 3:00 PM at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 5218 Bartlett Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Family visitation following the service. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the funeral home. Burial will be in Middle Grove Cemetery near Mekinock, ND.