Ben G. Gunderson, 78, of Eau Claire died Monday, April 21, 2008, at Sacred Heart Hospital.\r\nHe was born in Chippewa Falls, WI on September 16, 1929, the son of Ben and Ruth (Hill) Gunderson.\r\nBen married Janet E. Christianson on March 10, 1951, in Eau Claire.\r\nHe served in the U.S. Army from June 25, 1951 until his honorable discharge on June 25, 1953.\r\nBen worked at Sterling Pulp and Paper Mill for 30 years until 1978. He then worked at Luther Hospital in the laundry department for six years. Ben then went on to work at Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Springs, MN until his retirement in 1995.\r\nHe was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ.\r\nBen is survived by his wife, Jan; three children, Susan (Dan) Bjelke of Seattle, WA, Robert (Terri) Gunderson of Fall Creek and Jeannie (Pete) Davey of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren, Ben, Bob, Bill, and Brittany Girnau, Tanya (Jason) Pestka, Greg Gunderson, and Sara and Emily Bjelke; three great-grandchildren, Devin and Abigail Pestka and Isaac Girnau; his brother, David (Marilyn) Gunderson of Whites Creek, TN; sister-in-law, Lois Whitted of Eau Claire; brother-in-law, Ronald (Dorothy) Christianson of Eau Claire; and many special nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth and Ben Gunderson.\r\nOn weekends Ben and Jan enjoyed their leisurely drives through the countryside. Ben enjoyed sports playing baseball and softball, and in his retirement years golf. He had an appreciation for cars, especially his "57 Chevy".\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Eau Claire with the Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.\r\n

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