February 10, 2010

Arthur Gunderson

Arthur Gunderson, 93, of Watford City, N.D., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at the McKenzie County Hospital in Watford City. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Watford City. Father John Pfeifer and Rev. Bruce Gunderson officiated and interment was held at Banks Cemetery. A Rosary and family service was held Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Watford City. Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at www.fulkersons.com
Arthur William Gunderson was born Sept. 29, 1916, on the family homestead to Thorvald and Gina (Mattson) Gunderson near Banks, N.D. He attended Wilcox Grade School and graduated from Watford City High School in 1938. After graduation, Art attended teacher’s college in Lacrosse, Wisc., where he met his future wife.
On Feb. 6, 1940, Art was united in marriage to Mary McCabe at Lacrosse, Wisc. The couple returned to the Banks area to the family farm where they raised their family. They raised cattle and small grains, and in 1975, Art slowed down from farming but continued to live on the farm where he enjoyed gardening and raising vegetables for the Farmer’s Market. Art and Mary moved to the Horizon in Watford City in 2008 where he resided since.
Art enjoyed playing with kids and young people, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed reading and was a history buff. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but above all his family and friends were the most important part of his life.
He was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and served as a director for McKenzie County Rural Electric for 27 years. He also served on the Soil Conservation Board for 30 years, was a Justice of the Peace for Twin Valley Township, sat on the Twin Valley Township Board, the Twin Valley Election Board, was a Twin Valley 4-H leader, and was the leader of the local Twin Valley Township Farmer’s Union.
Art is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary of Watford City, N.D.; sons, Eugene (Gayle) Gunderson of Watford City, N.D., and Rev. Bruce (Patricia) Gunderson of Carrington, N.D.; daughter, Ardis (Robert) Pederson of Watford City, N.D.; 15 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lillian Quale of Minneapolis, Minn., Myrtle Rud of Tacoma, Wash., and Edna (Frantz) Nordstrom of Scottsdale, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edgar; and sisters, Mabel, Jessie, Alice and Cora.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER