Roger Vern Gunnufson

Memorial services for Roger Gunnufson of Morris, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Morris, Minnesota with Pastor Reed Stockman officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will take place at a later date at Summit Cemetery in Morris. 

Roger Vern Gunnufson was born on February 19, 1940 to Arnold and Palma (Thronson) Gunnufson on the family farm in Waukon Township, near Gary, Minnesota. He was one of four children and would grow up spending much of his time hunting and fishing with his best friends. In the latter part of his youth, Roger also enjoyed helping his father and uncles with their construction company, primarily running the drag line and building many roads in northern Minnesota. He attended public school and was one of 29 students to graduate from Gary High School with the class of 1958. After graduation, he attended Moorhead State Teachers College (Minnesota State University Moorhead), where he earned a degree in mathematics. During Roger’s education, both in high school and college, he participated in football, basketball, and baseball, excelling to become the team captain of both football and baseball.

Roger met Janice Gilbert through a good friend to Roger's brother, and Roger and Janice were married on November 27, 1965. Together they welcomed two children, Mark and Sandra. Roger started his teaching career in Truman, Minnesota where he taught math and was the head football coach. Following their marriage, Roger and Janice made their home in Morris, Minnesota where Roger continued to teach and coach. He also enjoyed working construction in the summer and took time for numerous Canadian fishing trips with his wife and close friends. Roger ran dragline for Riley Brothers Construction and also drove truck for a fertilizer company for several years.

Throughout his life, Roger maintained the love of hunting and fishing, especially at their family's cabin on Leech Lake. He also enjoyed watching sports – mostly football, playing cribbage and bingo, and was blessed with 58 years of marriage to the love of his life, Janice.

Roger passed away at the age of 84 on June 24, 2024 at Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janice Gunnufson of Morris; children: Mark (Jodi) Gunnufson of Waconia, MN and Sandra (Jeff) Christensen of Farmington, MN; grandchildren: Tyler Gunnufson, Kelsie (David) Janney, Miranda Christensen, Andrew “AJ” Christensen; great-granddaughter, Emelia Janney; and sister, Gayle (Rodney) Sundet. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Palma Gunnufson; brothers, Donald Gunnufson and Arnold Jr. (Arne) Gunnufson; and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Roger.