Shirley Gunderson

MADISON/MONONA-Shirley M. Gunderson, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2015, with her family by her side.  She was born on Oct. 25, 1925, in Tomah, Wis., the daughter of Henry and Vivian (Johnson) Franz.          Shirley graduated from Tomah High School in 1943, where she served as class vice president and was a member of the cheerleading squad.  She attended Ripon College and received her Registered Nurse degree from the Methodist Hospital in Madison, in 1947.  Shirley worked at the Methodist Hospital in the late 1940s and 1950s, as well as a local ear, nose and throat clinic.  Shirley married Robert E. "Gundy" Gunderson on Aug. 20, 1949, at the First Methodist Church in Tomah.   She supported her husband, Bob in the operation of the family business, Gunderson Funeral Home, now in its 4th generation of care giving, with her son, daughters-in-law, and her grandchildren involved.  Shirley was a Cub Scout den mother and served as a volunteer teaching assistant at Frank Allis School.  She was always cheering on her grandchildren in academics and sports competitions, from the dog sledding trails of Alaska to team sports at club, high school and collegiate levels.  Shirley loved to travel to many places. She was a lover of all animals whether wild or tame.  She loved the lake house in Waupaca and carted kids and friends (also wild and tame), encouraging them to stay often.  Some of Shirley's favorite activities were canoeing, sailing, kayaking and swimming.  She took up golf with special friends, claiming "it was better than housework".  Shirley enjoyed playing board games and watching old movies with her family.  She was active in Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the TLCW group and paddled the boundary waters with the youth group.  Shirley enjoyed water and downhill skiing into her 70s and cross country skiing still at age 89.        Shirley is survived by her four children, Tom Gunderson, Ann (Steve) O'Brien, Pete (Vicki) Gunderson, and Jeff (Joy) Gunderson; grandchildren, Iris (AJ) Sutton, Heidi (Dave Pelunis-Messier) Wood, Matthew Gunderson, Lauren Gunderson, Kirsten Gunderson, Zander Gunderson and Skyler Gunderson; great-grandchildren, Hazel and Salix Sutton; sister-in-law, Maxine Franz; brother-in-law, the Rev. Chuck Gunderson; many nieces, nephews and their families; and her feline companion, Linus.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; brothers, Harold and Howard; and sister, Marge.      Funeral services will be held at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago Street, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015 with the Rev. Susan Schneider presiding.  A luncheon will immediately follow in the church hall. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, and at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.       Shirley's family wishes to thank the Trinity Church family for their support and friendship and the many caregivers at The Arbors, Oak Park, St. Mary's Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare for their wonderful care.  There have been many special caregivers who entered her life that will not be forgotten and we are thankful for the smiles brought to her face by her many visiting friends.   A special thank you to Dr. Al Musa for his expertise and kindness in taking care of Shirley and Bob all of these years.