It is with great sadness that the family of Rosemary Louise Gunderson announce her passing away peacefully at 95 ½ years young in Claresholm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Rosemary was born in Shaunavon, SK to Louis & Sanda Berglund on December 28, 1927.
Rosemary is lovingly survived by her son Lloyd (Connie), Fort MacLeod, AB. Karen (Don) Needham Claresholm, daughter-in-law Lori Gunderson, Claresholm. Her sister Janet Magnuson of Shaunavon, SK; her grandchildren Brittany (Andrew) Field, Janelle (JC) Tratnik, Barry (Anna) Gunderson, Ty (Skylar) Gunderson, Ashley (Decker) Mainil, Amber (Trevor) Williams, Brad (Irene) Dersch, Landon (Jenna) Schneider, Trevor Needham, Renee Needham, Ryan (Chantel) Needham, Brad (Jamie) Needham. Also 18 great grandchildren, Halle, Brett, Genessie, Carter, Lucas, Pryce, Langley, Bennett, Avery, Mitchell, Brady, Kassidy, Delaney, Kaleigh, Fallon, Lennon, Zoey, Nolan. Rosemary leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rosemary was predeceased by her husband Gilbert on October 30, 1971, son Allan on October 23, 1957, at the age of 3 and son Lenny Gunderson on November 17th, 2015. A sister Frances ‘Billie’ MacPherson. Also, Manly Magnuson, Don MacPherson, Betsy Gunderson, Emma & (Fred) Larsen, Hanna & (Harold) Garthus, Cornell Gunderson, Annie & (Clarence) Modien, Louise & (Richard) Modien, Henry & (Audrey) Gunderson, Clara & (Magnus) Fiddler, Ella & (Oscar) Olson,
Rosemary went to Thompson Valley School near Shaunavon. At an early age she was a hard worker living on a farm where there were many daily chores. Rosemary & her sister Billie would get paid $3.00 each for putting poison down gopher holes on 3 quarter sections of land. Also, they were paid one cent for gopher tails in those days. It was $2.00 to stook 20 acres of oats that Rosemary was paid while helping her dad harvest. She married Gilbert Gunderson on October 21, 1947. They farmed in the Simmie, SK district and moved to Claresholm in 1961. Rosemary worked at the Care Centre as a compassionate and caring nurse assistant and retired in 1990. After retiring she travelled many places and enjoyed bingo, card games, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and quilting which may have contributed to her amazing memory. Rosemary planted many bountiful gardens throughout her lifetime, which probably attributed to her good health and mobility. She learned to play guitar at an early age and she would sing at many country dances with her sisters. Rosemary was a member of the Senior Drop-in Centre and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.
Memorial donations made be made to Porcupine Hills Lodge, PO Box 790 Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0; or Claresholm Social Centre PO Box 1518 Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the Claresholm Community Centre Lodge Room at
2:00 p.m. 690 – 59 Avenue West in Claresholm.