Palma Gunnufson, age 96, of Gary, MN, died on Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.


Palma Ardella Thronson was born on March 30, 1917 in Gary to Bennie and Olga (Eidum) Thronson. She was baptized at St. Petri Lutheran Church, where she was a member, in rural Gary. She was confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church, so she was not the only girl confirmand. Palma attended the country schools and later high school in the Gary and Mahnomen communities. As a young woman, she worked as a hired girl for neighbors. In 1937, Palma was united in marriage to Arnold Gunnufson at the Gary Parsonage. They lived in the Gary area all of their married life. After Arnold's death in 1966, Palma went to work for Tommy Anderson at Tommy's Fairway. She continued to make her home in Gary until entering the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in November 2011.

Palma was a faithful servant of the Lord and a very active member of Gary Lutheran Church. She spent many hours serving with the circles, the ladies aide and working with her quilting group. Palma also taught Sunday school for many years. Palma had a childhood ambition to be a teacher and although she never taught formally in a classroom, she was a teacher. She was always teaching those around her through simple conversation. She held a wealth of knowledge about the Gary community and generations of history. Friends and family who gathered around Palma's kitchen table always received a listening ear, a treat or two, and wonderful stories of the past.

She is survived by one daughter, Gayle (Rodney) Sundet of Bedford, MA; two sons, Donald (Lenore) Gunnufson of Gary, MN; and Roger (Janice) Gunnufson of Morris, MN; six grandchildren: Dawn (Darin) Mogck, Daniel Gunnufson, Mark (Jodi) Gunnufson, Sandra (Jeff) Christensen, Alison (Alessandro Massarotti) Sundet, and Bryan Sundet; and seven great grandchildren: Lucas, Madison, Jacob, Tyler, Kelsie, Andrew "A.J." and Miranda.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold; one son, Arnold Jr.; a sister, Annabelle; a brother, Burton; and an infant brother, Palmer.


Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Gary Lutheran Church in Gary. Visitation was at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley on Tuesday, March 11th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Burial took place at St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary.