Richard Gunderson, 70, of Buffalo, formerly of Annandale, died Saturday, April 12, 2008, at his home. Funeral services were Saturday, April 19, at Assembly of God Church in Buffalo. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery, Buffalo. Memorials may be made to Allina Hospice. He is survived by his wife, Ethilda who is currently residing in Park View Care Center in Buffalo; sons, Randy of South Haven, and Tim (Sue) of Waconia; daughter, Tiffany Gunderson of Buffalo; sister, Hazel Kotila who is currently residing in the Cokato Manor; grandchildren, Julie Abfalter, and Jacy and Samuel Gunderson, all of Waconia; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter; and sisters, Marjorie Lueders, Dolores Gunderson, and infant Dorothy Gunderson. Richard LeRoy Gunderson was born on Jan. 26, 1938, on the farmstead in Annandale to Frank and May Fieldseth Gunderson. He graduated from Annandale High School and joined the United States Air Force where he served in Germany. Upon returning he began working for Minnesota Rubber. Not long after he started, Richard went on a trip to Oregon to meet his pen-pal Ethilda Marie Kneeland. He quickly proposed and they were soon wed, on July 10, 1962, in Washington. Richard returned to work at Minnesota Rubber for another 37 years, retiring in 2000. He was a member of International Association of Machinists Union #1087. When his children were younger, Richard enjoyed model trains. Having been raised on a farm, he had a longtime interest in old tractors and thrashing equipment and techniques.
