Florence N. Gunderson

Florence Nipko Gunderson, age 102, died on Monday, October 4, 2010 at Skaalen Home in Stoughton WI where she had been a resident for 12 years.   Before that she had made her home in Madison WI.   She was born in Poy Sippi, WI to Gustav and Anna (Schmude) Nipko.   She married B. Harry Gunderson in Columbus, Ohio.   She taught school, first in rural Kerwin School near Stratford WI and later in school districts in Charleston IL and Aberdeen SD.    She was a member of Lake Edge Lutheran Church in Madison.   She is survived by one daughter, Leanne (Alvin) Menninga of Stoughton and one son, Gayne (Ann) Gunderson of Plain City, Ohio; 4 grandchildren: Leslie Alan) Gardner of Milo IA, Karen (Jim) Underwood of Lincoln NE, Mark (Christy)Gunderson of San Francisco CA, and Cheryl Gunderson (Glenn McGregor) of San Diego CA; 6 great-grandchildren: Braden, Tristan, Evan, Hillary, Sean, and Grayson; 8 step- grandchildren; 26 step-great-grandchildren;   7 step-great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.   One special and very attentive niece, Beverly Schuetz, of Stoughton, predeceased her in Dec. 2009.   She was further predeceased by her parents and her siblings: Myrtle Nipko, Alma Baltzer, Clarence Nipko, Laurence Nipko, Olga Swatling,   Fern Petterson, Leon Nipko, and Irene Nipko.   When both of her parents died, she and her siblings went to live with relatives or family friends.   Florence was taken in by Art and Marie Law of Stratford who considered her to be a member of their family.   There is a close bond yet today between the Law and Nipko-Gunderson families.   Because Florence always wanted to be a teacher, she was able to go to Wausau and work for her room and board while she attended high school there.   Then, with scholarship help, she attended Oshkosh Teachers' College where she met her future husband, Harry.   Florence went on to teach in rural schools until she and Harry married in 1930.   After their marriage they moved to communities in Indiana and Illinois where Harry had Industrial Arts teaching jobs.   While he finished his doctorate in education at Indiana University, Florence was able to complete her bachelor's degree in education so she could teach in city schools.   When Harry died in 1970 in Aberdeen SD, Florence moved to Madison WI where she and Harry had planned eventually to retire.   She lived in Madison until 1998 when she decided that at age 90, she was ""old enough"" to move into assisted living at Skaalen in Stoughton.   While in Madison she was active in the Dane County Commission on Aging, the League of Women Voters, and Lake Edge Lutheran Church.   She was proud to have worked with three different mayors, Soglin, Skornika, and Sensenbrenner in establishing senior centers in both downtown Madison and Monona.    She was active in many civic organizations and bridge groups.   In Stoughton, she became an active member of the Skaalen community.   She enjoyed her years there and became an avid Bingo player.   We, the family, feel indeed blessed for the loving care given her at Skaalen.   Thanks to HospiceCare, Pastor James Koza, and to all on Heritage # 3 for their compassionate care and companionship.   Graveside services were held at the Eastside Lutheran Cemetery, Stoughton on Friday, Oct. 8.   A memorial service will be held at the Skaalen chapel, 400 N. Morris St. in Stoughton on Oct. 24 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 1:00 p. m. until the time of service.   Olson-Holzhuter-Cress is serving the family.   Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to: Skaalen Retirement Services, 400 North Morris St., Stoughton WI 53589; or HospiceCare Inc., 3001 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville WI   53548