Lynn Sundby

Lynn Sundby, 71, of Argyle, MN, passed away on Thursday afternoon, October 2, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.
Lynn was born on January 29, 1954, to Arden and Shirley (Deleski) Sundby. Raised in Argyle, Lynn learned early on how much his family and community meant. He graduated from the Argyle High School in 1972, and studied Restaurant & Resort Management at University of Minnesota Crookston. After college, he worked at Cenex in Oslo then later spending a few winters in Florida working construction with his Oslo buddies. In 1980, he returned home to farm with Gary Bergeron and later with Safranski Brothers. His large mustache and blonde perm impressed all the ladies, but none more than Pam Safranski. She thought he might be too old for her- but it turns out he was young at heart. They were married on January 16, 1982, later being blessed with three children. Lynn was a hard worker and a real provider. In addition to farming, he hauled fertilizer, drove beet truck, and eventually bought the local restaurant in 1987, renamed "Sundby's Cafe." He liked to say he ran it for ten years just to prove he didn't need to finish that degree. In 1993 he started crop adjusting for RCIS and working part time in the winter for Phil Thompson & Associates. In 1997 he sold the cafe and went to work for Phil Thompson full time.
Lynn was a people person. He never met a stranger, and enjoyed doing his business as face-to-face as possible. He was a man with a great big smile, a generous heart and a deep love for those around him. There was nothing he loved more than being with his kids, spoiling his grandkids, and spending time with them all at Lake Beltrami, his happy place. "Papa" always had good one-liners, and if the grandkids mentioned a want, he fulfilled it to his best, even going so far as to find an 8 foot Sasquatch silhouette cut-out for the lake. Lynn had unending community support. He was a member of the Argyle Lions, St. Rose Finance Council, SAC Sports Boosters, NVHC Board, and the Warren Volunteer Ambulance. We do have to mention his TWO hole-in-ones, though. He was forever trying for number three.
Lynn retired on January 1, 2024, and in November of that year, began a cancer battle that he waged with optimism. Never asking "why me," Lynn was a man who prayed for the best. "Sundance" Sundby has gone to a better place, and the good he did will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pam; children, Jenna (Dustin) Grabowska, Jesse (Kathryn) Sundby, and Jaden Sundby; "Papa's favorites," Brooks, Jade, and Skylar, Oliver, Beau, and Drew, all of Argyle, MN; siblings, Becky (Alvin) Nybladh, Craig (Tammy) Sundby, Terry (Patty) Sundby, Dawn (Kevin Donarski) Erickson; step-mother, Jo Sundby; mother-in-law, Judy Safranski; silblings-in-law, Brenda Safranski, Patty (Terry) Sundby, Peggy (Wayne) Feuillerat, Penni (Travis) Anderson, Paula (Ryan) Anderson; step-siblings, Vicki (Mark) Tucker, Jodi (Clayton) Quade; and many nieces and nephews.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, John Safranski Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Tater Safranski and Allen Erickson.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Argyle, MN.
VISITATION: Tuesday evening, October 7, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM in the church, and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Argyle, MN.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Memorials preferred to the North Valley Health Center or the Argyle HOPE Program.