Donald "Don" M. Gunderson

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/D7Xs3cMwcIw 

Donald "Don" M. Gunderson, age 82, of Moorhead, MN, died Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Fargo VA Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota.

Visitation will be held 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Amundson Funeral Home Chapel in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Amundson Funeral Home Chapel in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Donald Marvin Gunderson was born May 22, 1942 in Emerado ND, to Marvin and Fay Gunderson. He spent most of his childhood in Emerado, growing up with his two older sisters, Shirley and Phyllis.

In 1957, the family moved to Northwood, ND where Don excelled in athletics for the Northwood Trojans. Northwood High School is also where Don would meet the love of his life and wife of nearly 62 years, Maxine.

On May 25, 1963, Don married Maxine Wasness in Northwood. The couple moved to Riverside, CA where Don was stationed at March Air Force Base. In 1965, Don was medically discharged from the Air Force and the couple eventually returned to North Dakota. They made their home in Grand Forks where they raised their two children, Michael and Michelle.

If Don was your neighbor he was also your friend. He loved to be outside socializing and joking with neighbors of all ages. He was well-known and loved by neighborhood kids, many of whom saw him as a second father to them. Don and his family enjoyed time at Island Lake, boating and fishing with friends and relatives, as well as marathon card games at night. He also enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada with friends. Don and Maxine strongly valued experience and adventure for their children, so every summer included a vacation or road trip. Photos and memories of family trips have been a source of fond memories and many laughs over the years.

Don spent his career working at the ND State Mill & Elevator where many of his co-workers became lifelong friends. Upon his retirement in 1993, Don focused his time and energy on his hobby garden. He enjoyed setting up stands all over Grand Forks to sell his impressive harvests of fruits and vegetables. During retirement, Don also began what would ultimately become his favorite job- courtesy driver for a local car dealership. He often came home with stories of the many people he met at work and was especially happy if a grateful customer offered a tip for his friendly service.

In 2006, Maxine retired and the couple moved to Mesa, AZ. Don truly loved his time in Arizona where he enjoyed years of beautiful weather and landscapes. Naturally, he made friends with many of the neighbors in Sunland Springs Village and was quick to remind them each day that it was “happy hour when the mountains turn pink.”

In 2021, Don and Maxine returned to the Midwest and made their new home in Moorhead, MN. In declining health, Don spent his last weeks in the care of the hospice team at the VA Medical Center in Fargo. Even with limited communication and diminishing capacities, Don managed to win the love and affection of medical staff with his wit and antics.

Don passed away with family by his side on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Ecumen Evergreens for their care during his brief stay, and to the many medical teams at the VA who cared for him so well, for so long.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Fay Gunderson, and by his sisters, Shirley Monson and Phyllis Crane.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine, his son Mike, daughter Shelly, and son-in-law Chris Potter.