Richard Gunderson

Richard Lyle Gunderson, 85, peacefully entered the glory of heaven on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Altru Hospital, following a valiant 23-day battle against Covid-19.

Richard was born to George and Eliza (Braaten) Gunderson on August 28, 1935 in rural Buxton, ND, the youngest of 5 children. He was baptized into the family of God at Grue Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed, sang in the choir, and was an active member.

He attended Buxton High School where he enjoyed and excelled in sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated in 1953.

Following high school, Richard attended Mayville State College where he continued to play football, lettering 3 years, and participated in several college plays. He graduated in 1958, majoring in Social Science and minoring in English and Physical Education.

Prior to beginning his teaching career, Richard enlisted in the Air National Guard, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. During his military service, he was a Sergeant with the 191^st Military Police Company and received the Marksman Award. After 20 years of service, he was honorably discharged in 1978.

After completion of basic training, in the Spring of 1959, Richard began his high school teaching career in Alberta, MN. This was the start of a long and inspiring vocation dedicated to educating, guiding, mentoring, coaching, and counseling young people. He went on to teach in Portland and Fairmount, ND. Between those first 3 schools, he taught English, Biology, and Social Studies. He also was an assistant football and basketball coach and directed school plays.

Richard continued his education in 1964, graduating from NDSU with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and Guidance. His first position as a high school guidance counselor was in Hector, MN. From there, he went on to Walhalla, ND where he began a school counseling program. He also spent seven years in Hillsboro, ND as the high school guidance counselor.

He accepted a position at the New Town, ND High School as the school’s guidance counselor in 1981, where he was also the assistant football coach. He retired from New Town High School in 1997, concluding a long and admirable education career.

Richard spent his retirement years in Grand Forks, ND and married Jeanette Olson in 2004. Together they enjoyed traveling - especially attending the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, the Medora Musicals, the State B Basketball tournaments, and warm winters in Mesa, AZ.

Sports were always a highlight of Richard’s life. He regularly attended UND and local high school games and enthusiastically cheered on several college and professional football and basketball teams. As an athlete, coach, and fan, Richard wrote, “Sports will always be part of my life.”

Richard was a lifetime Democrat and a proud and active member of the ND Democratic Party. He volunteered many hours campaigning for candidates, writing endorsements, and serving as a ND delegate.

Most of all, Richard was a beloved child of God and a man of deep faith who strived to live out Jesus’ teachings in his daily life through his words, actions, and unconditional love of others.  He was an active church member who served on Church Councils and regularly attended worship services. In the last years of his life, as a resident at Valley Senior Living, he most enjoyed Bible Study, worship services, and visiting with the chaplains and his pastors. He knew one day he would make a journey to heaven, where he would “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Thanks be to God for the fulfillment of this promise!

To honor Richard’s dedication to the education and mentoring of young people, a memorial scholarship is being developed in his name through Mayville State University. These scholarships will be awarded to students who are pursuing an education career. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the “Richard Gunderson Scholarship Fund.”

Richard’s final words were, “Please tell everyone I love them very much.” His love and kindness will be very missed by his wife, Jeanette; brother George (Eileen) Gunderson; sister Carole Eide; step-children Jim (Shelley) Olson, Michael (Donna) Olson, Sally (Jeff) Stoa, Maribeth McGoven, Lorree (Mike) Fleming; nieces Cindi (Jack) Carlson, Joan Peterson, Sandy (Tim) Christian; nephew Mike Zelinski; great-nieces and nephews; step-grandchildren; and many dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Eliza; sisters Miriam (Jack) Zelinski and Eileen (Garvin) Anderson; niece Janna Anderson; and brother-in-law Allen Eide.

Public visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks. Funeral services will be private. Public graveside service will be 3:00 PM Thursday at Grue Cemetery near Buxton. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks.

You may view the service by using this link: https://youtu.be/50FHyZBHAp8