Dennis Jay Gunderson, 62, of Chester, MT, passed away May 16, 2007 in Manila, Philippines. Born January 15, 1945, in Great Falls, MT, he was the son of the late Douglas Gunderson and Josephine Plank Gunderson. He attended elementary school at Bear’s Den, graduated Valedictorian from Joplin High School (1962) and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History from Montana State University (1967).
Raised on the family farm north of Chester, he was a son of the soil.
Following University he taught history, economics, and typing at Monroe Senior High School, Monroe, WA. He returned to the family farm in 1969. He was called to full time ministry in 1974 which led him throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Thailand and finally to the Philippines in 1987. He founded “the little children’s home” in Manila in 1991 and continued to serve the children until his death. He was a man of humor, love of music and passion for the children. He was a cool man.
He is survived by his wife Jeri Keye Huffman Gunderson, son Daniel Gunderson and wife, Teresa, grandson Gabriel; daughter Sara Gunderson; daughter Deborah Gunderson Gustafson and husband, Darren, grandsons Aubrey and Auden; son Joel Gray Gunderson and wife, Jena, grandchild to be; daughter Mary Gunderson; son Paul Gunderson. Brother Dale Gunderson and wife, Lanea; sister Judy Gunderson; brother Leonard Gunderson and wife, Katheryn; brother-in-law Kevin O’Neil. He is also survived by nieces Vicki Gunderson Weimer, Whitney Gunderson Wright and Stacie Gunderson Mason, nephews Randy Gunderson, Darryn Gunderson, Chad Gunderson, Ryan Gunderson, Scott Gunderson and Joshua O’Neil, uncle and aunt, Fred and Ruth Plank Barrett; aunt Mary Plank Mattson, and cousins Carolyn Barrett Dolderer, Don Gunderson, Gail McClellan Kaiakamanu, Gloria McClellan Thorson, Carl Mattson, Jodi Mattson
He was preceded in death by his sister Robin Gunderson O'Neil, niece Valerie Gunderson, cousin Monte Barrett, aunt and uncle Esther Gunderson McClellan and Ed McClellan, and uncles Eddie Gunderson and George Mattson.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 30th, 2007, at the Church On the Rock in Sunburst, MT and 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 2nd, 2007 at the Assembly of God Church in Chester, MT.
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