Shirley Ann (Selvaag) Gunderson

Shirley Ann Selvaag was born May 18, 1935, at home in Folden Township, rural Vining, Minnesota, the daughter of Edwin and Sigrid Selvaag. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Folden Lutheran Church. She attended rural School District #265 in Folden Township and graduated from Henning High School in 1954. On June 11, 1955, Shirley, and Gilbert Lovro were married at the Folden Lutheran Church. Gil was in the army and the couple moved to Germany for 2 years. Their first daughter, Wendy, was born there. After the army, the couple owned and operated a dairy farm near Vining, where Dawn and Jill were born.

Shirley had huge gardens and canned everything. She sewed most of her daughters’ clothes and helped Gil in the barn.

Gil died in 1982. Shirley married Wayne Gunderson on January 11, 1985.  Shirley and Wayne Gunderson farmed until Wayne's retirement. They bought Shirley’s home farm and moved there, where Shirley enjoyed gardening, mowing the lawn, and keeping things neat. Shirley and Wayne enjoyed traveling, taking road trips to California, Washington D.C., Alaska, Iceland, and Canada; as well as 2 trips to Norway. Shirley and Wayne were crowned Vining Watermelon King and Queen in 2003. They were active members of the Sons of Norway and volunteered many hours to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Hawaii. Shirley was a lifetime member of the Folden Lutheran Church.  She was a member of the Welca and the Esther Circle and she also taught Sunday School. She especially liked making flower arrangements and decorating the church for special occasions. She liked helping with the Syttende Mai dinner every May and loved the annual Tour of Tables, quilting and making layettes. Shirley loved her church family and was always willing to make a meal or help in the kitchen. 

Shirley’s husband Wayne died in 2009, but she continued to live on her home farm until her passing. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Sigrid Selvaag, husbands Gilbert Lovro Jr. and Wayne Gunderson; brother: Stan Selvaag; brother-in-law: Romaine Stephan; a great granddaughter: Cambree Grabow. Shirley is survived by her children: Wendy (Jeff) Grabow, Dawn (Craig) Cordes, Jill (Andy) Beim; grandchildren: Jesse (Shari) Grabow, Jacob (Shannon) Grabow, Holly Miller, Chelsey (Nick) Waskosky, Jordan (Michelle) Beim, Ashley (Drake) Roth; 11 great grandchildren: Brock, Bridger, and Briar Grabow, Isaac and Adam Grabow, Carly, Abbie and Ella Swanson, Elijah Denny, Mason and Payton Miller; Sister: Dolores Stephan; sister-in-law: Karen Selvaag and JoAnn Lovro, Ruby Christopherson; brother Jerry (Mavis) Selvaag and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

"Each moment of your life is a miracle."
 

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