Services for Lyle Bertram Gunderson
Lyle Bertram Gunderson, age 80, of Bejou, MN, died on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston, MN.
Lyle was born November 1, 1936, at home near Gary, MN, the oldest son of Ludvig and Bernice (Sirjord) Gunderson. He was raised near Bejou, MN, attended school in Bejou and was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. As a young man, Lyle began farming with his father and would eventually take over the family farm and livestock herd. On April 7, 1962, Lyle was united in marriage to Nora Elaine Wallin in Cloverland, WI. The couple made their home on the farm two miles south of Bejou, where they raised their family. Lyle retired in the late 1990’s, but remained living on the farm until he entered the nursing home last November.
Whether it was growing a large vegetable garden with lots of potatoes, cutting and burning wood or simply taking in the beauty of the trees, Lyle truly enjoyed being in the great outdoors. From a young age, farming was not only a job, but a way of life. All those years, Lyle’s brand of choice without a doubt, was International tractors and equipment. He harvested grains and raised beef cattle. He always looked forward to a Saturday morning at the sales barn, or taking in a good auction sale. Lyle had a great sense of humor and loved spending time with his family, especially the grandkids. He loved to visit and socialize with the endless guests that would visit the farm. They always had plenty of home cooked food and fresh baked bread and buns on hand. During his retirement years, Lyle kept busy tinkering on old tractors and listening to old country music, even attending Jam Sessions at the Embassy Center in Fosston. He is a two time cancer survivor and will be greatly missed by many.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elaine, of Bejou; daughters, Eileen (Jay)Winter of Avon, MN, and Mary (Dan) Floding of Alexandria, MN; son, Ray (Stacy) of Gary, MN; five grandchildren: Tyler, Jeremy, Katie (Jake), Paige, Parker; one great-granddaughter, Annika; one brother, Duane (Sue) of Erskine, MN, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to The American Cancer Society, Mahnomen Chapter.
Visitation was held from 5-7 pm, Thursday, March 16, 2017, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, all at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN. A Funeral Service was held at 10:30 am on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, MN.