GRACE JOHANNA (TONJES) GUNDERSON was born October 23, 1914, on the family farm northeast of Allen, Nebraska, to George H. and Martha D. (Hilbers) Tonjes.  She passed away Monday, December 29, 2008, at Logan Valley Manor in Lyons, Nebraska, at the age of 94 years.

Grace was baptized December 8, 1914, at the Lutheran Church in Allen by Rev. G.W. Livers. Her family moved to a farm near Scribner, Nebraska, in 1920. Grace attended District No. 35 School near Scribner. She was confirmed on September 16, 1928, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hooper, Nebraska, by Rev. H. O. Rhode.

On December 14, 1938, Grace was united in marriage to Howard Wesley “Tuffy” Gunderson at her parent’s home near Scribner. Grace and Howard farmed in the Rosalie, Nebraska area. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rosalie and its WELCA. Grace was also a member of the Parks Club and was a 4-H leader.

Grace and Howard retired from farming in 1991 and moved to Lyons, Nebraska. Howard died on April 22, 1993. Grace later moved to the Lyons Apartments and in July 2003, to the Assisted Living at Logan Valley Manor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Howard; grandson: Jay John Porter; brothers and sister-in-law:  George Tonjes, Clarence and Annie Tonjes; sisters and brother-in-law: Mildred Fahrenholz, Evelyn and Maurice Swanson, Valenda Poppe.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law:  Jean Ann and Lyle Porter of Omaha, Nebraska; son and daughter-in-law: Wesley Raymond and Esther Gunderson of Blair, Nebraska;  four  grandchildren: Jeffrey Raymond Gunderson of Fremont, Nebraska, Brett Allen (Brittney) Gunderson of Blair, Wendy Marie (Kevin) Johnson of Omaha, Kandy Porter (Jay John’s widow) of Omaha, Ray Lee (Robyn) Porter of Golden, Colorado; four great grandchildren: Wesley Allen Gunderson, Aubrey Grace Porter, Aaron Lynn Porter and Fay Lee Porter; brother and sisters-in-law: Norman and Norma Tonjes, Ann Tonjes  all of Scribner: brothers-in-law: Donald Poppe of Scribner, Edwin Fahrenholz of Allen, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, January 3, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rosalie, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Friday 1- 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation will also be held Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

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Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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