Marjorie Gunderson, 89

June 25, 1929 —

July 28, 2018

 

Cresco - Marjorie Gunderson, age 89, of Cresco, Iowa died July 28, 2018 at The Patty Elwood Center in Cresco. 

Funeral services were held on July 30, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Cresco, with interment following at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. 

Marjorie Ellen Gunderson was born June 25, 1929 in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Lenn and Margaret (Vine) McIntire. She grew up in Decorah and graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. She married Arlis Gene Gunderson at the Congregational Church in Decorah on Nov. 27, 1949.

Marjorie’s career included working in Decorah as a telephone operator. After her marriage to Arlis, she continued her career in Cresco, as well as working in the office, working for a total of 10 years with the phone company. Later she worked at the State Bank in Cresco, as a bank teller for 18 years.

Marjorie belonged to several clubs and organizations. She was a member of Cimota Club, Friends and Council, Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, First Lutheran Church’s Ladies Aid and the Cresco Country Club. She was a very social person who enjoyed playing Bridge with several different groups. She formed many friendships through her clubs. 

Marjorie was an avid reader. She loved reading books, recipes and magazines. It was especially hard for her to no longer be able to read when she lost her sight. She was an excellent cook who loved trying out new recipes. She had several special recipes that were referred to as “Margie’s recipes.” She also loved going out for an evening of dancing with Arlis, especially dancing to their favorite song, “To Each His Own.”

She collected cardinals, so many cardinals. She always considered seeing or hearing a cardinal a reassurance that everything would be all right, because someone above was looking out for her. 

Marjorie loved going out to eat and spending time with friends and family. She was always so excited to hear what was going on in their lives. The more details that were shared with her, the more she would smile. 

She enjoyed traveling and never passed an opportunity to go up north with her family or friends to spend time vacationing at a lake. Another favorite place for her was visiting the family’s Heritage Farm near Decorah. She would sit, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the farm and its setting. She shared many memories of the generations of relatives who lived there. She was always happy to come out to Susie and Jerry’s home. She sat on the porch, relaxing while taking in nature and its beauty. She loved every minute with her family there, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who gave her so much joy. She always had a smile on her face when she was with her family.

Marjorie is survived by a daughter, Susan (Jerry) George of Lime Springs, Iowa; two grandchildren, Angela (Ryan) Chambers of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Thomas (Tracy) George of Cresco, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Colette George and William and Melody Chambers; and one sister, Rosalyn (Robert) Eppens of Decorah; along with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great- great-nieces and nephews.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Lenn and Margaret McIntire; her husband, Arlis Gunderson; two children who both died in infancy, Jimmy Arlis and Billy Jo; sister, Norma Fede; and brother, William McIntire.