Byron S. Gunderson, age 91 of Glenwood, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21^st at First Baptist Church in Glenwood with Pastor Andy Lewis officiating.  Visitation will be Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.  Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the spring in Solem Lutheran Cemetery in Kensington.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Byron Stanley Gunderson, the son of John and Lizzie (Foslien) Gunderson was born April 5, 1925 in Moe Township, rural Brandon, Minnesota.  He grew up on a farm near Kensington and was a member of Solem Lutheran Church.  He attended school in Kensington and graduated from Kensington High School in 1943.  After high school, Byron entered the United States Navy.  He served his country as a Seabee and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Byron was united in marriage to Marilyn Ogren in 1947.  The couple made their home on a farm north of Kensington and had two children, Jon and Mary Beth.  Byron and Marilyn continued to live on their farm until 1975. They shared 29 years of marriage before Marilyn passed away in 1976.

On March 10, 1979, Byron was united in marriage to Ruth (Perkins) Doughty in Glenwood.  The couple made their home in Glenwood and were members of the First Baptist Church. They shared 37 years of marriage.

After Byron retired from farming he was employed at a blacktop plant near Alexandria for a few years before starting work at Cenex driving bulk fuel deliveries.  He continued to work for Cenex for the next 20 years. Byron was a member of the Runestone Telephone Board, the Kensington School board for 13 years, clerk for Solem Township, and treasurer for First Baptist Church for over 20 years.  He enjoyed playing baseball, deer hunting, fishing, golfing, helping Bob on the farm, and watching sports.  He was affectionately called Johann by many of his friends. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Byron passed away January 18, 2017 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.

Byron is survived by his wife, Ruth Gunderson of Glenwood; son; Jon (Teresa) Gunderson of Dalton, MN; Ruth’s children: Randy Doughty of Plainview, MN, Craig Doughty of Tower, MN, David (Wendy) Doughty of Boseman, MT, Laura (Tom) Hainlen of North Oaks, MN, LuAnne (Paul) Strand of Glenwood, and Bobbi (Kevin) Holtberg of Waconia, MN; foster son, Leighton (Shari) Johnsrud of Foley, MN; brother, Marvin (Bergetta) Gunderson of Winona, MN; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Donna Gunderson of Alexandria; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary Beth Gunderson in childhood; his first wife, Marilyn Gunderson; brother, Harvey Gunderson and granddaughter, Leah Christine.

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