Obituary of Duane Gunderson

A funeral service for Duane Gunderson, age 91, of Terril will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 10:30am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Terril. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.

Duane Gilbert Gunderson, the son of Gilbert and Esther (Luehring) Gunderson, was born on February 13, 1931, in Estherville, Iowa. Duane grew up on a Superior, Iowa farm west of today’s Estherville Golf Course. He attended school in Terril and graduated high school in 1949.

On September 11, 1950, Duane enlisted in the United States Army. He honorably served his country until his discharge on June 20, 1952.

On September 21, 1951, Duane was united in marriage to Yvonne Louise Bennett in Winona, Minnesota. The couple made their home in LaCrosse until 1954 when they moved to Terril, Iowa.

The majority of his life was spent on the Gunderson family farm west of Terril. Duane was a farmer as with any farmer this translates to Laborer, Mechanic, Engineer, Welder, Biologist, Chemist, Veterinarian, Butcher, Horticulturist and more.

Duane was active in his community as a member of the American Legion and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril. 

Duane’s hobbies included playing cards of any kind with anybody. Travelling with his wife/children/grandchildren across the entire United States in their RV. He enjoyed fishing but was more likely to be fixing a grandkid’s snag or tangled line than actually catching fish. He loved helping others. He loved Yvonne and she loved to dance, so they danced! On Friday nights he would be attending a grandson’s football game as their biggest fan. While Saturdays were reserved for Hawkeye Football and Amberbocks. Duane’s true devotion lies in his faith in God and the Church, and that is where you would find him on Sundays. Duane was proud of his community and was generous in helping out anyway he could. Gundy was most generous in handing out his famous hugs.

Duane passed on September 2, 2022 in Sioux Falls.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Rick Gunderson of Terril, Iowa; Curtis Leroy Gunderson of Estherville, Iowa; Sherry Rae Morris of Terril, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Ben, Josh, Mike, Sabrina, Shawn, Seth, Lucas, and Tanner; 13 great-grandchildren; his brother, Bruce Gunderson; sister-in-law, Linda; several nieces and nephews. 

Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Elwin Clark; and his parents, Gilbert and Esther Gunderson.