Raymond Dean Gunderson

Raymond D. Gunderson, age 91, of Hot Springs, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

He was born on March 3, 1931, in Mound City, South Dakota, the son of Alfred Gunderson and Verna Johnson Gunderson.  He was raised on his parents’ farm in Campbell County and attended country schools until high school.  He attended high school in Glenham, South Dakota, where he graduated in 1950.  In high school he participated in basketball and track.

Ray, better known to his family as Dean, helped his parents on the farm and joined the United States Navy in September, 1950.  He spent all four years on a destroyer, the USS John W. Weeks.  He was a machinist mate.

On August 14, 1953, Dean married Virginia Fiedler in Charleston, South Carolina.  They had four children, Steve, Randy, Melissa and Jamie.  He was discharged from the Navy in July of 1954 and worked construction.  Dean went to work for Al Johnson Construction for 331/2 years and retired in 1990 and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Virginia Gunderson, son, Steve; daughter, Jamie Colvin (Mike); eleven grandchildren, Eric Gunderson, Seth Gunderson (Ashlee), Garrett Gunderson, Christine James, Meris Burson (Cass), Lynsey Johnson (Matthew), Ryne Colvin (Brooke), Emma Colvin, Dean Colvin and Drew Colvin; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; several nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randy; daughter, Melissa; two sisters, Nola Gunderson and Betty Lindeman; one brother, Wayne Gunderson; four brothers-in-law, Le Moyne Fiedler, Stu Fiedler, Gary Fiedler and Albert Lindeman; three sisters-in-law, Kate Gunderson, Geraldine Darnell, Geri Gunderson and Jeri Fiedler; and niece, Jody Olhieser.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with Bro. Scott Gallimore officiating in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs.  Visitation will be 9:00AM, prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors.

Pallbearers are his ten grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearer is his friend, Roger White.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.