Gene Gunderson

GENE HOWARD GUNDERSON

Gene Howard Gunderson, age 77, of Pickwick, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 28, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on October 30, 1939, in La Crosse, to Victor and Agnes (Radsek) Gunderson, and was a 1957 graduate of Winona Senior High School.  After high school, he honorably served his country with the United States Army, and was a member of the American Legion Post 595 in La Crescent, MN.

Gene was united in marriage with Jane Mary Soller on August 18, 1979, in La Crosse, and they recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary.  In 1981, he founded Coulee Tool and Die in Onalaska, WI, later moving the business to Pickwick, which he owned and operated until his retirement.

He was the Vice-President of Pickwick Mill, Inc., and was very proud of the community’s efforts in restoring the historic flour mill.  He volunteered countless hours making the Mill’s belts, gears, and machinery operational again.  Gene was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick, and served on the church council for many years.

Gene will be remembered for his enjoyment of reading, hunting, fishing, playing cards, taking trips down South, and farming.  His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family.

Gene is lovingly survived by his wife, Jane; four sons: Daniel (fiancée Bethany), Michael, Joseph, and James; sisters: Janice (Arv) Fabian and Laurel (Thomas) Church; brother: Donald (Helen) Gunderson; sister-in-law: Ann Flueker; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant sister, Sharon Kay Gunderson.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Friday, September 1, 2017, from 4 PM until 7 PM, and at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick on Saturday, September 2, 2017, from 2 PM until the funeral service at 3 PM.  The Reverend James Nelson will officiate.

Gene will be laid to rest in the Pickwick Cemetery where the La Crescent American Legion Post 595 will provide military honors.

The family respectfully asks that memorials be directed to the Pickwick Mill, St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, or to a charity of choice.

Gene’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic, and to the nurses and staff of Winona Health Hospice for the excellent care that he received.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Gene’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.