Edwin Gunderson

Edwin Donald Gunderson Edwin ("Ed or sometimes "Don") Donald Gunderson, 87, of Casper, passed away the morning of July 30, 2010 at Central Wyoming Hospice after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on June 6, 1923 to Edwin Nelson Gunderson and Marion (Frakes) Gunderson in St. Paul, Minnesota. As Ed grew up, he worked on the family farm and graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the 4th and 9th Armored divisions during World War II. During his service he participated in the landing on Utah Beach (on his 21st birthday), the liberation of 22,000 Jews from the Weimar Concentration Camp, and received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement for his action during "The Battle of the Bulge". Following his service, he completed his college education at William Penn University in June, 1950. He then worked at various jobs until his first teaching position at the Junior High in Fridley, Minnesota. In 1958 he moved to Moorcroft, Wyoming for one year then to Casper, Wyoming in 1959 where he taught at various schools in the Natrona County School District. On July 16, 1964 he married Mary Alice (Wright) Gunderson of Sheridan, Wyoming. They were married for 46 years. During his tenure with the Natrona County School District, Ed also served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the CMCTEA and as President for the W.E.A. (Wyoming Education Association), and as President of the NCCTEA (Natrona County Classroom Teachers Education Association). Following his retirement in 1987 from the School District, Ed became involved with AARP in a variety of capacities. He enjoyed sports, reading, the mountains and the ocean. Ed was preceded in death by his father, Edwin, mother, Marion, and Mark, his son from a prior marriage. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice, son Jim, two grandchildren, Carmie and Brittany and three children from a prior marriage, Lance, Leslyn and Edie. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Bustard's Funeral Home. Any memorials to Central Wyoming Hospice in Ed's name would be appreciated by the family.