Ora Carol Gunderson

Ora Carol Helland Gunderson, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, June 2, 2014, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

She was born January 21, 1936, in Faribault, to Oscar and Hattie (Walker) Helland. She attended grades 1-4 in a country school in rural Kenyon. In 1945, the Helland family moved to Fergus Falls, when she attended Adams Elementary, Washington Junior High and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, graduating in 1953. After high school, Carol attended the Normal Teachers Training class and taught in several Otter Tail County rural one room schools.

In 1958, she left for Akita, Japan to teach missionary children for three years. After returning to Minnesota, she continued her education at the University of Minnesota, Moorhead, graduating with a B.S. in education. While at the University, she met her future husband, Norman and they were united in marriage on June 8, 1963. To this union, was born one son, Timothy Jon on November 3, 1967. After Norman’s graduation from seminary, she followed him out to serve churches in Malta, MT, and Chehalis and Tacoma, WA. Besides being a mother and wife, she taught at both public and Christian schools.

Carol loved being a teacher and she also had a great love for animals, especially dogs and cats. She loved being on the farm and taking care of the animals. Carol loved to cook, bake and can fruits and vegetables. In recent years she loved volunteering at the Broen Memorial Home and was a dedicated caregiver to both family and friends. She was a great encourager and loved to make people laugh. Last year, she was happy to attend her 60th high school class reunion.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her son, Timothy; a brother, Lloyd; sister, Olive; and a sister-in-law, Ruth.

Survivors include her husband, Norman; brother, Harland (Mabel) of Fergus Falls; sister, Luella Helland of Fergus Falls and nieces Joan Soholt and Carolyn Penner; nephews, John, Bob, Larry, Bill, Wayne and Mark Helland.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2014, with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation and coffee fellowship will be held one hour prior to the service at Light and Life Auditorium.
Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Light and Life Auditorium at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Chaplain Ken Austin and Reverend Bill Helland
Interment: Knife Lake Cemetery, Mora, Minnesota at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014.
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls