Donna Gunderson
June 27, 1939 ~ October 29, 2011
Donna J. Gunderson, 72, of Highmore, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.
Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Pastor David Peterson officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 31, 2011 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.
Donna Jean Gunderson was born June 27, 1939, at Highmore, South Dakota, to George and Stella (Mason) Ruark. She was united in marriage to Duane “Mick” Gunderson at Highmore on June 10, 1955. To this union six children were born.
Donna’s occupations included farming, working as a cook at Kussers, and she spent the remainder of years as a cook at the Nutrition Center in Highmore until her retirement in 2009. In Donna’s free time she enjoyed crafting. There is nothing Donna loved more than spending time with her family. She enjoyed the large family gatherings, the socializing and laughter. Donna was loved dearly by her family and friends. She was the glue that held her family together and her loss leaves a hole that can never be filled. She was smart, loving, generous, kind, and thoughtful. This beautiful woman will be remembered and missed by everyone who knew her.
Survivors include her four daughters and their families: Corrine (Jim) Odegaard, Clint and Eric of Miller; Jennifer (Kevin) Snow, Johanna and Melissa of Pierre; Pam (Chris) Farrell, Ashley and Amber of Bristol, and Teresa (Mark) Blow, Matthew of Harrisburg; two sons and their families: Mike (Sharon) Gunderson, Mandy, Jamie, Lance, and Chase of Bowdle and Tim (Kathy) Gunderson, Danielle and Dustin of Ankeny, Iowa; her 5 great grandchildren; sister, Pat Kaass of Sioux Falls and brother, Tom Ruark of Butte, Montana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane Gunderson; two sisters: Marilyn Kwaak and Mona Ruark; four brothers: Leroy Ruark, David Ruark, Richard Ruark, and Robert Ruark.
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Gunderson Families,
Our sincere sympathy is extended to your families. Donna will be remembered as a genuine one of a kind! Always willing to put others before herself. Her love to visit, sense of humor and adventure for a good time will be greatly missed.
Burton & Laura Anderson
Mark, Teresa, and family – we are saddened by your loss – our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Greg and Lynn Harder
Mike, Sharon and family ~ Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Lanny and Tami
our condolences in the passing of your Mom. I always loved her little giggle and twinkle in her eyes. She was always so helpful when my son showed movies at the center for fccla. Her family was her everything and we pray that that love will help you all in the days ahead.
So sorry about your mom. She was a great and special lady. I will miss seeing her and hearing that special laugh she had. It was infectious. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I was very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. It is very difficult to lose the one who brought you into this world and gave you so much of herself. Wonderful memories of happier times spent together will give you strength. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Aunt Jeanie
So wish we could have made it back for Donna’s funeral. She was a special friend for a long time and will always be remembered for her kind and loving ways. Lisa and Eric still talk about all the good times they had out on the farm when they were little.