Kay Ben Gunderson

Kay Ben Gunderson, age 67, of Menan died Monday, March 27, 2006 at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho. Kay was born September 25, 1938 at Menan, Idaho a son of Alvin Vern Gunderson and Erma Matilda Olsen. He graduated from Rigby High School in 1956 and then from Ricks College in 1958. Kay served a LDS Mission to the Southern States (Florida, Georgia, and Alabama) from 1959 to 1961, and continued to be an active member of the LDS Church. On June 2, 1961 he married Nola Marie Olaveson in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Following his wedding, Kay attended BYU and then went on to teach industrial arts for 2 years at North Fremont High School in Ashton, Idaho. He also worked three years for Roberts Produce in the fertilizer plant. Kay struggled with Hodgkin’s disease and the effects of its treatment from 1963 to the end of his life but never let it keep him away from visiting with family and the activities he enjoyed. He spent many dedicated hours to his family garden farm where he developed his well known squash which was enjoyed by everyone in local restaurants and grocery stores. He also had a strong reputation among bird raisers for his ability to hatch eggs of all varieties. His love of outdoors kept him busy with fishing, hunting and horseback riding. He especially loved to share his hobbies with his friends and family and spent many patient hours serving, teaching and telling stories. Kay is survived by his wife Nola of Menan, three daughters: Stephne Marie (Allan) Yoshida of Rigby, Janae Rachelle (Miles) Colburn of Longview, Washington and Karen Faye Koplin of Idaho Falls, three sons: Marvin Kay (Angie) Gunderson of Menan, Norman Ben (Lauren) Gunderson of Menan and Rhett Ole (Gina) Gunderson of Germany, four brothers: Alvin Vern (Yolanda) Gunderson of Idaho Falls, Neil Olsen (Althea) Gunderson of Menan, Keith Paul (Deoine) Gunderson of Terreton, and David Clyde (Yvonne) Gunderson of Idaho Falls, and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 31, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. in the Menan Stake Center with Bishop Greg Venema officiating. The family will visit with friends at the Menan Stake Center on Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.