Norma Arlene Gunderson
December 18, 1933 ~ November 1, 2019
Norma A. Gunderson, 85, Valley Springs, died on Friday, November 1, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Center, Sioux Falls.
Visitation with family will be 5-7pm, Monday, November 4, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11am, Tuesday, November 5, also at Heartland Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs.
Norma Arlene Nelson was born on December 18, 1933 to Jens and Evangeline (Gran) Nelson in Beaver Creek, MN. She attended school and graduated from Beaver Creek High School. In her own words, “When I was little, we had the run of the town,” speaking of growing up in the “big town” of Beaver Creek. She was known to skip school, hopping on a train to catch a movie or shop in Luverne.
On September 6, 1953, Norma married Harold (Sonny) Gunderson. It was a beautiful day. Norma worked as a waitress at the Gibson Café in Valley Springs. Norma then went on to work as an assembly line technician for 30 years for Litton Microwave and Electronic Systems Inc.
She enjoyed vacationing in the Black Hills. She loved to knit, crochet, play bingo, play cards, and was motivated to walk several miles each day. Norma was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Valley Springs and was involved with the Ladies Aid.
Norma loved her family and was very proud of raising four good kids. She treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed all of the family get-togethers and holidays. She was known for her Sunday dinners or holiday gatherings and made many good meals for her family. She was an excellent cook and knew how to make “real” gravy. When dinner was over, and if her guests were full, she was happy. Grandma’s final advice for her family was “watch out for the girls.”
Norma will be deeply missed by her three children, Kevin (Brenda) Gunderson, Sioux Falls, Becky (Gene) Albers, Larchwood, IA, and Deb Dale, Valley Springs; eleven grandchildren, Corey (Katherine) Gunderson, Camelle (Dustin) Schuler, Cortnie (Eric) Bain, Sean (Bo) Gunderson, Ashley (Aaron) Hoefert, Andrew Gunderson, Paige (Cole) Prescott, Caleb Dale, Jared Dale, Jordan Dale and Jaden Dale; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Harold (Sonny) Gunderson; her son, Terry Gunderson; one grandson, Dylan; and three sisters, Betty Muller, Phyllis Nelson and Janet Nelson.
Norma, you will definitely be missed. You always said it the way it was and you were not afraid to back up your words. You were one of a kind..