Martin Gunderson, 44

Martin Gunderson passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at this home in Minneapolis at the age of 44.

Martin will be remembered for his pursuit of quality and excellence, his ability to connect to everyone he met, including every dog in eyesight, and his dedication to friends and family.

Martin Edward Gunderson was born on May 30, 1967, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Lloyd and Connie (Hintz) Gunderson. The family moved to Northfield, Minnesota where he was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church and graduated from Shattuck St. Mary’s High School in Faribault in 1985. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1990. Following his education, he moved to California to work in the automobile business.  Martin married Ansley Monique Spencer on September 16, 2000, in Northfield. After marriage they lived in St. Paul, Charlotte, NC, and Monrovia, California.

On April 15, 2006, Ansley tragically lost her life in an automobile accident. Following her death, Martin pursued his interests in travel, sailing and scuba diving. He became a scuba diving instructor and his students found him to be an energetic, caring, and patient teacher.  Martin took pride in his sobriety and attended AA.

Survivors include his mother, Connie of Northfield; two brothers and their wives: Karl and Joleen of West Fargo, Konrad and Rachel of St. Joseph, Missouri; six nieces and nephews: Marc, Melissa, Katelyn, Lauren, Erik and Daniel; his former in-laws: Merlin and Jacqueline Spencer of Leawood, Kansas; aunts, uncles, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Ansley in 2006 and his father Lloyd in 2010.

Services will be on Tuesday, May 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 500 W. 3rd Street in Northfield at 10:30 A.M.  There will be a visitation at the church on Monday from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.