Muriel Bunde

MADISON-Muriel Rae "MiMi" Bunde, left this world on Sunday, April 5, 2009, after a hard fought struggle with respiratory complications. The struggle ended and she passed peacefully into Gods hands. Muriel was born on April 7, 1940, in Wisconsin Rapids, to Ray and Alice (Larson) Bunde. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. MiMi, as she was known, was very active socially and well known among her peers. Muriel was a cheerleader for Lincoln High and never missed a class reunion in 50 years. Some of her fondest memories of those years were being a roller skating car hop at the local A & W root beer stand and being voted queen of the Golden Sands Festival. In the early 60s, Muriel set out for Huntington Beach, Calif. where she learned to sail and scuba dive, and was proud of the fact she became a certified diver and along with some new friends, she enjoyed sailing to Catalina Island on the weekends. It was at this point that she began a long and successful career in the automotive business, working for a Ford dealer in Huntington Beach and learning the ropes of office management. Eventually Muriel returned to Wisconsin, settled in Madison, and worked for several dealerships, including Waters Motors, Smart Motors, Schappe Pontiac and Tom McGann Volkswagen. In 1981, she met Lee Novak and together they started a 28 year union, that through thick and thin has lasted to this day. In 1990, Muriel helped form Mr. Lees American Classics, a dealership that specialized in vintage and special interest cars. She truly loved the old iron and actually started to cry when she thought her favorite hot pink and white 1959 Dodge was sold. Muriel loved to participate in the car show, swap, and auction events where she was well known for her outgoing nature and eye popping bikini tops. Nobody had more fun than Muriel, she lived life to the fullest and will be sorely missed by her friends and loved ones. Muriel is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Jack) Haasl; brother, Larry (Barb) Bunde; her life partner, Lee Novak; her nephews, Brent (Cindi) Haasl, Barry (Tami) Haasl, Bart Haasl, Bryan Bunde; and nieces, Jennifer Bunde and Lindsay (Andy) Shefka. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Alice Bunde; a brother, Phil Bunde; and her beloved Border Collie, Tipper Bunde. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, with the Rev. Mary Pharmer presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009. "Sweetheart, the Dodge will be waiting to take you on your last cruise."