Garreth James GUNDERSON

Age 70, passed away on Sunday August 20, 2017 at his home in Englewood, Florida. Beloved by many, Gary was born October 6, 1946, in Fargo, North Dakota. Gary earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota, and subsequently a MBA from Golden Gate University. Gary enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, and served as a rocket propulsion scientist at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This is where he met and married Peggy, his dear wife of 45 years. After his enlistment he returned to Minnesota where he resumed a lengthy and successful career at 3M, ultimately retiring as a Strategic Planning Manager for the Consumer and Office Markets Division. Over the years he enjoyed curling, baseball, softball, jogging, golf, fishing, hunting and reading. Gary is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughter Lori (Bradley) Littrell (grandchildren Nathan, McKenna and Katherine), daughter Kari (Paul) Bass (grandsons Silas and Linus); his sister Marsha (Bruce) Qvammen, and his brother Bradley (Therese) Gunderson, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews, several cousins, and Uncle Jim Zeis. He was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Violet (Zeis) Gunderson. A Funeral Mass will be held for Gary at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1301 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292 on October 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 18, 2017 (1-4:00 p.m.) at St. Francis of Assisi parish hall located at 16770 13th St. South, Lake St. Croix Beach, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Alameda Isles Memorial Fund or the Alameda Isles Veteran's Association, as both were near to his heart (1 Alameda Grande, Englewood, Florida 34223).