Gunderson is named First Lady

The 2017  First lady event for Clearwater County was held on Saturday, March 11 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bagley. The lunch was prepared by Chef Roger Person with Steve Beltz as the sous chef, the second in command. Hostesses were the women of St. Joseph’s Church.

The keynote speaker was Laura Lobo. She is a voice coach, the author of “Give Your Talent Wings”, and an officer in Bemidji Area Toastmasters. Based on her experience, Laura recommends that everyone can “learn by doing” when improving one’s ability to embark on uncharted territory. 

Special music was provided by Jill Bakken. She sang “A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes’ and “Edelweiss.” The audience sang along on the second verse. She is mother of two adorable children - Lucas (7) and Lydia (4).  She has been a Science teacher for 16 years (currently at Win-E-Mac, previously 11 years in Bagley) and is a member of the Bagley Tuesday Study Club. 

The program was emceed by Tamara Edevold Executive Director of the Clearwater County Historical Society and her assistant Bonnie Kirchman.

The Clearwater County Historical Society uses this event to celebrate National women’s History month, which occurs each year in March. The National Women’s History Month selected the theme of “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business” this theme honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force.  

The First Lady celebration began in 1977, when the Gamma Upsilon chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority members sponsored the first event. They continued until 1991. In 1993 the Bagley Tuesday Study Club took over hosting the event.  When they decided to shift their focus to other projects, the Clearwater County Historical Society decided it would be a good fit, since each woman who has been nominated and who has been selected, has earned a place in the history of the county. 

The 2017 First Lady has lived in Clearwater County for her entire life.  She was born here, married here and raised her family in Clearwater County. In the letters the Society received, they counted no less than a dozen organizations that she’s been involved in from 4-H to church to township government to the All school reunion. 

Tamara Edevold announced that the 2017 First Lady of the year was Alice Gunderson. 

Alice Gunderson is a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many people. Alice was born March 31, 1938 in Minerva Township to Joe and Mabel Evermoen. She went to school in Minerva, and then on to Bagley High School. She graduated with the class of 1955.  Alice married Iver Gunderson of LaPrairie on March 3, 1956. She raised four sons, Mike, Curtis, Bruce, and Brian. She has 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. 

They moved to a place in La Prairie, where Alice and Iver began farming with raising dairy cattle for milk production. Their sons left the farm after high school, so their interest went to raising and selling beef cattle. 

Alice and Iver were members of the Association of Milk Producers Incorporated (AMPI) in the 1970’s. She was a willing and dependable person who contributed many ideas and opinions to help the local organization. 

Alice was involved in Women for Dairy during the 1970’s. She was a leader of this group and helped to share ideas and information that came from the Federal government in regard to regulations that were important to milk production for the local farmers. The women including Alice were in charge of an exhibit booth at the Clearwater County fair. There ice cream was sold to fair goers. This was to help promote the awareness of milk production in the county. 

Alice was the town clerk for LaPrairie town board during the 1960 and 1970’s. 

While her sons were growing up, Alice helped with the 4-H program. She was a leader helping to involve other youth from the Falk Township to increase the membership of this group called the Falcons. She served this 4-H group for many years and saw many awards given to this 4-H group of young people. 

At Grace Chapel, Alice was involved with Daily Vacation Bible School held during the summer. She was involved in The AWANA program, which is held every Wednesday evening during the school year. She had a group of kids called Cubbies. There she helped them learn Bible verses, enjoy game time, and listen to a story during counsel time. She also had a car full as she brought many neighborhood children with her on those Wednesday nights.

The 2018 First lady will be unveiled on March 10, 2018.