George Gundersen, Jr. was born in Pensacola, Florida on June 21, 1938, to his loving parents, George Gundersen, Sr. and Laura Gingles Gundersen. He met and married Dawn Herchenhahn in 1958, and they had three children: Lynn, Donna, and Mike, who grew up knowing what it was like to have loving parents.
George also began his career at Monsanto which lasted for 35 years. Although he had made a profession of faith in Christ at a young age, it wasn’t until 1971, when he rededicated his life to Christ, that he really started living for the Lord. He began attending Faith Baptist Church every time the doors were open. He led his family at home in family devotions. He was involved in regular church visitation and the men’s prison visitation ministry. He sang in the choir, played the trombone in the church orchestra, and served as a trustee and a deacon. Eventually, he became the church custodian — a ministry he took very seriously. After all, he was taking care of God’s house. He was the guy everyone called when something went wrong at church, and he either fixed it or made sure it got done — right! And he was like that at home too. Repairmen never came to the house because he fixed everything. And if he couldn’t, then he stood by the repairman to make sure he did it right. He was a stern but loving father, a devoted husband, and a faithful friend. His brothers, Kenneth and Richard, have remained as close as brothers can be to this day.
George and Dawn were married for 61 years. When Dawn was diagnosed with dementia, George knew it was his turn to care for the woman who had taken care of him for over half a century. And he did it faithfully until the very end. He was a wonderful example of the wedding vow: in sickness and in health. When Dawn passed away in 2020, he found himself alone for the first time in 60+ years. Then God brought Martha Kelly into his life. She has been a huge blessing to him and his children for the past 2 1/2 years, and she was the reason for the big smile on his face.
George was preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Laura Gundersen, as well as his devoted wife of 61 years, Dawn Herchenhahn Gundersen. There are many more, though, who live on to cherish his memory: His loving wife, Martha Kelly Gundersen Children: Lynn Brooks and husband, Ron; Donna Lee and husband, Willis; Mike Gundersen and wife, Kristi Martha’s children: Michelle Gore and children; Sandria Heckman and husband, Mike, and children Grandchildren: Cory Davis and husband Jeremy, Ronnie Brooks, Wil Lee, Amber Lee, Jessica Lee, and Bradley Gundersen Siblings: Kenneth Gundersen and wife, Libby; Richard Gundersen and wife,Michelle. He will also be missed by many extended family members and a host of friends and neighbors.
George’s pallbearers are: Michael Gundersen, Ron Brooks, Willis Lee, Wil Lee, Bradley Gundersen, and Joe Smith. Honorary pallbearers are: Kenneth and Richard Gundersen, Ronnie Brooks, Jerry Mattheiss, Alec Mason, and Donald Gainey. The celebration of life service will be held at Faith Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 18, at 1:30 PM. The family will receive visitors starting at 12:30 PM. The graveside service follows at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, you can send donations to Faith Baptist Church’s missions program or benevolence fund in memory of George Gundersen.
