Tony was born August 28, 1948 in Spring Grove, Minnesota to Jerome and Maxine (Wright) Gunderson. He graduated from Mabel High School in 1966. From 1966 to 1972 he served in the Army National Guard trained in heavy equipment mechanics. On May 1, 1971 he married Myrna Yotter in Lake City, Minnesota. They made their home in Mabel raising three children Jenny, Ian, and Cory. Tony worked as a sprinkler fitter, then as an insurance agent with his parents in Mabel and for a short time in Rochester. He worked at the Jennings State Bank in Spring Grove until 1989 when he returned to sprinkler fitting, retiring in 2004. In retirement he worked part-time driving the residents at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home. In 2011 they moved to Florence, Arizona and return to Minnesota for the summers.
Tony was very community oriented and loved to offer his time, energy and resources to multiple organizations over his lifetime. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 299 in Mabel and held positions on the local, county, and district levels. He also became a member of American Legion Post 97 of San Tan Valley after moving to Florence. He was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, had been a member of the Jaycees and was a Scout Master for Troop 68 in Mabel. Tony enjoyed working on projects including home remodeling, tinkering on cars, boating, fishing and woodworking, volunteering at the church and food bank, and talking with people.
Tony passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 70.
Tony is survived by his wife Myrna of Florence; children Jenny (Grant) Paedon of San Jose, California, Ian (Teoby) of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Cory (Rose) of Safford, Arizona; grandchildren Gunnar, Giselle, Grace, Gleanby, Brisenia, Cristobal and Eric; great grandchildren Haby, Glean Harvey, Nicolyas and Sebastian; siblings Gary (Cheryl) of Canton, James (Sheree) of Stewartville, Jean (Terry) Ingvalson of Mabel, and Jerry Wayne (Sonya) of Decorah, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with Rev. Elliott Malm officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Friday, July 5 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel. Burial with military honors will be held at 2 PM on Friday, July 5 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston.
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