Obituary of Gordon Gary Gunderson

On July 1, 1948, in Leoville, SK, Gordon Gary Gunderson was born, the 3rd of 12 children born to Roy and Mildred Gunderson. Gordon attended school to grade 3 in Timberlost (known as The Block). The family then moved to town for a couple years before settling at the farm west of town. Gordon was a member of Big River Cadets and enjoyed his camp experience in Vernon, BC during one summer. Gordon furthered his education in Big River. Gordon married Gail Menard in January of 1969; they had 3 daughters: Tracey, Denise, & Melanie. After the birth of Denise, Gordon & Gail moved their little family to Pine Point, NWT where Gordon went to work at the mine. Melanie was born during their time in the North West Territories. In 1974, they returned to Big River and Gordon went to work driving log truck and gained experience with various construction and logging companies as well as assorted business ventures with friends and family, which included trucking, dry-walling, and sporting goods. Gordon was sports oriented and loved playing hockey, broomball, fastball and slow pitch as well as coaching his daughters in ball and other sports teams. He was an extremely talented self taught carpenter and enjoyed his time spent building homes and assorted construction projects, no matter how minor or how challenging – he accepted any project put in front of him and was never satisfied with anything less than perfect. In October 1977, Gordon began seasonal work with the Department of Highways which led to a life long career. Gordon was a family man and worked hard to provide a good, stable and loving home for them. In 1987 Gordon and Gail divorced. Gordon remained in Big River and continued working for the Department of Highways. On November 12, 1989, in Prince Albert, Derek Gordon was born to Gordon and Sherry. In 1990, Gordon and Sherry Gallant were married in Las Vegas, on his dad’s birthday, October 11. From 1997 to 2002 Gordon and Sherry spent numerous hours building their dream home. They loved spending every opportunity with their son. Gordon coached Derek throughout his years playing hockey and ball and a very special bond was formed. Gordon worked hard and played hard. He was meticulous, organized, a perfectionist, a charmer, and won the hearts of everyone who knew him. In the fall of 2009, Gordon and Sherry separated and in the fall of 2010 Gordon was fortunate enough to take an early retirement. He bought and moved into his house on Main Street. In March of 2011, Gordon became very ill and was diagnosed with sugar diabetes. During the last year and a half Gordon spent his time doing what he enjoyed most – he was his own boss; he was in charge of his own schedule and did what he wanted, when he wanted. His illness was a challenge for him but as with everything else in his life, he was accepting of the challenge and met it head on. On November 10, Gordon reunited with his dad, mom, sister (Darlene) and brothers (Bernard & Dwayne). We will miss him immensely but we know he is healthy and at peace. Funeral Service was held Thursday, November 15th, 2012 ~ 1:00 pm from the Big River Community Hall. He leaves to cherish his memories: His children: Tracey Gunderson (Dan Bailey), Denise Gunderson (Stewart Gervais), Melanie (Larry) Milford, Derek Gunderson (Stephanie Bogner); 6 grand-children (Justin, Kristjan, Erika, Weston, Danielle & Cohen), 2 step-grandchildren (Rylan & Matthew) and numerous nieces and nephews who adored and admired him. The mothers of his children, Sherry and Gail, his siblings, Earl & Cec, Grace and Bud Forbes, Doug & Debbie, Geraldine & Stan Millikin, Norman & Jenny, Brenda & Kenny McKay, Judy & Marlow Pister, Bev Lindskog & Kevin Huard, his sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen (Scott) Reed and Leslie Gunderson and many relatives and countless friends. Email condolences will be forwarded to the family. Delores Beaulac of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.