Margaret K. Gunderson, 83, of Eau Claire died Monday, December 5, 2011 at Syverson Lutheran Home due to complications from a recent fall. She was born November 12, 1928, to Oscar J. and Katherine (Wagner) Johnson in Eau Claire, WI. "Mugs," as she was known by close friends & family, was very proud of her family. In her younger years she faced terrible hardships and a tragic loss that made her love for her children and grandchildren her greatest devotion and the simple things in life her greatest pleasure. Whether it was putting on a hot dinner when they and their friends were hungry, (she fed the neighborhood!), or bundling them in tons of blankets in the winter or being quick to respond to an SOS of torn pants when they were little, she was always there for them. She worked as an employee of Sterling Pulp and Paper Co, from 1946-1961 when it was in operation in Eau Claire. In her later years she was delighted in the simple times she spent with each of her children: feeding the ducks at Carson Park with Bill, RV trips with Dan & Gloria, daily wake up calls for Louis (even if it was 4:30 a.m.), weekly trips with Jeff for car parts, or with June, coloring & styling her hair and gossiping about the latest this and that, driving up to see Butch in his busy rock shop or sharing the newspaper with her close friend Elsie Gray. Margaret lived her life as a simple woman with simple pleasures. A gesture as small as extra little creamers for her coffee at a restaurant made her smile like a little kid in a candy store. Margaret is survived by one sister, Dorothy Elaine Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, her children Butch Grevitch of Osseola, WI, Dave Grevitch of Star Prairie, WI, Margie Hofslien of Foster, WI, William, Gunderson, of Eau Claire, WI, Daniel and Gloria Gunderson of Snohomish, WA, Louis Gunderson & Dorothy House, of Eau Claire, WI, Jeff & Katy Gunderson, of Eau Claire, Wi, June and Jerry Zopp of Menominee, WI, grandchildren, Dougie, Michelle and Paul Nichols, Hunter and Cooper Gunderson, Stacy and Alischa Geist all in WI, Daniel Gunderson of Everett, WA, Christine Gunderson with the USO in Afganistan, Skyler and Dan Alteri, McKenna Gunderson, Amber and Matthew Danielson, Cory Gunderson of Eau Claire, WI and great grandchildren: Dakota, Tyler, Becky, and Raymond Nichols , Kaylee and Ryan Alteri, Calista and Maximus Danielson, and and many loving friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George Gunderson, daughter Sherri Nichols, son George Gunderson Jr, her sister Eleanor (Arthur) Carroll; four brothers, George (Gertrude, "Trudy") Johnson, Harold "Boots" Johnson, Richard D. Johnson, and James A. Johnson and nephews Richard Norman Hoyt & George "Wally" Gunderson Jr. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire. Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the funeral home with Rev. Rolf Nestingen officiating. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery in Eau Claire. The family would like to extend their most sincere appreciation to all who took part in the care of their mother, in particular the loving staff at Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire, Dr. Brent Wogahn of Oak Leaf Vascular Surgery for his thoughtful and caring guidance, her Pall Bearers, Terry Krull, Chris Olsen, Donald Niblett, Richard Russell, Jerry Danielson, Brian Falter, and Susan Sharpe for her help with our mom's final arrangements, as well as all those whose lives kindly touched hers. In life, she was a simple woman with simple pleasures. True to this nature, she leaves us with having had her last simple wish fulfilled, "hold me in your arms, just hold me."

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