Gayle Gunderson

Gayle Ellis Gunderson, 75, of rural Fairchild, passed away suddenly at his home in Garfield Township, Jackson County on June 26th, 2023.
Gayle was born May 26, 1948, in Freeport, Illinois. He was the youngest of 5 children born to Gunder and Ida (Wampole) Gunderson and was raised in the Scotts Valley area of rural Augusta. He attended the Scotts Valley Country School.
Gayle was united in marriage to Linda Franson on June 1, 1968, at the Bruce Valley Church, in rural Strum. The couple started their married life in the Strum area and spent the rest of their married life in the rural area of Osseo-Fairchild.
In addition to farming most of his life and raising cattle, horses, hogs and chickens, Gayle had also worked for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. He was an owner/operator truck driver in addition to owning and operating a dump truck and backhoe. For a time he also drove dump truck for Mathy Construction out of Onalaska. He had worked for Koxlien Logging out of Strum and also logged for himself. In the 70's, 80's, and 90's he owned Garfield Auto Sales.
Gayle was an avid obituary reader as he knew so many people throughout the area. He loved attending any type of auctions, not only for the bargains and collecting but also for the visiting that went along with it. With his family he enjoyed hunting deer, turkey and bear. Gayle was also widely known by and enjoyed his time with the Amish community.
Gayle was an easy going guy who will be dearly missed by his wife Linda who he had just celebrated 55 years of marriage; 3 sons, Eugene Gunderson of Augusta, Les Gunderson of Fairchild and Jason Gunderson (Paula Sutton) of Ottumwa, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Kristin (Damani) Dixon, Nathaniel, Malachi, Tilly, Elizabeth (Jacob DeMars), Samuel, Abigail, Olivia, Keagen and Caleb Gunderson; 2 great grandchildren, Daamon and Eva. He is further survived by his brothers, Gordon Gunderson of Fall Creek, Dallas (Monica) Gunderson of Green Bay; sister-in-law Karen Gunderson of Fairchild; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Gayle was preceded in death by his father in 1962; mother in 1999; great granddaughter Hailey; sister Lorrita "Lolly" Howell in 2009; sister in law Alice; nephew Gregory; brother Garry on April 24, 2023; and step father Verne Buend.
At the request of Gayle, there will be no formal service. His ashes will be spread over a memorial grave site on the Gunderson Family Homestead settled in 1870.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com