Obituary of Jack Gunderson

Jack Gunderson, 85, Yankton, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. Memorial services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Vangen Lutheran Church, Mission Hill, SD with Rev. Velma Larson officiating. Private burial of his cremated remains will be in the Vangen Lutheran Cemetery with Military graveside rites by the Rudolph Christensen American Legion Post #237 of Gayville, SD and the Air Force Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Jack was born to Loyal and Martha Gunderson on the family farm near Meckling on Aug. 18, 1930. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to a farm in the Mission Hill area. He joined the Air Force in September of 1950. Jack married Diane Bruget on May 27, 1951 in Volin. While he was in the Air Force, Jack and Diane spent two years in Anchorage, AK, later rotating to Spokane, WA, before coming home to South Dakota in October of 1953. Jack farmed in the Mission Hill area and was active in community service, which included serving on the board of the Mission Hill Farmers Elevator, and as president of the Mission Hill School Board. He was a member of Vangen Lutheran Church, Mission Hill, and the American Legion. He was also a Civil Air Patrol commander and a 62-year member of the Elks. One of Jack's greatest passions was flying and he earned his private pilot's license in 1954. He continued flying for many years. When he became unable to farm due to health reasons, Jack and Diane decided to become vagabonds, selling Black Hills Gold jewelry at fairs, festivals and open air markets all over the country. Finding a good market in Yuma, AZ, they spent six months of the year there selling to winter visitors. They then would travel to northern California where they worked for four weekends before coming home by Memorial Day. In July they would work in Minnesota, followed by August in Nebraska, ending their seasons for many years in Lincoln at the Nebraska State Fair. Having been an over-the-road truck driver for a few years before selling Black Hills Gold, Jack really enjoyed traveling, which carried on after he and Diane hit the road in their motor home, with Diane as his faithful navigator and co-pilot. In 2002, Jack and Diane started spending their summers in Yankton, and in 2011 they moved there permanently. Jack was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009 and fought it until God was ready for him to come home. Jack was a loving, gentle man, and although flying was one of his greatest loves, his family was first and foremost in his heart. He is survived by Diane, his wife of 64-1/2 years; son, Chris and special friend, Susan Stahlecker, daughters, Lynn (Tom) Balfany and Beth (John) Hoebelheinrich, all of Yankton, SD; grandchildren: Brandy (Brian) Salts of Yankton,SD, Corey Gunderson and special friend, Jen Gratzfeld of Sioux Falls, SD, Brooke (Michael) Brown of St. Paul, MN, Maggie (Rob) Fogle of Sioux Falls, SD and Tait Balfany and Megan Balfany, both of Yankton, SD; great-grandchildren: Alexandra, Oliver, Davian, Tori, Morgan, Avery and Pria; his sister, Phyllis Karolevitz of Yankton, SD; brother, George (Jean) Gunderson of Mesa, AZ; several nieces and nephews and a host of special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Emmet Billings; his brother-in-law, Bob Karolevitz and daughter-in-law, Nori Gunderson. Memorials are directed to the Lutheran Outdoors of South Dakota; 2001 South Summit Ave.; Sioux Falls, SD 57197.