Catherine "Kay" Belle (Jackson) Gunderson

Catherine “Kay” Gunderson, 74, of Milltown, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, June 21, 2019 at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN with her loving family at her side.  She fought a brave battle but turned out to be one she could not win.

Kay was born on May 10, 1945 to Tom and Margie Jackson from New Richmond, WI.  She attended school and graduated from New Richmond High School.  After graduation she started working at UFE in Dresser, WI.  This is where she met and fell in love with Lynn Gunderson.  They married on September 18, 1965 and have been married for 53plus years and have been blessed with two sons, Gregg and Jason.

Kay and Lynn lived in St. Croix falls for a short time until they bought a farm not far from Centuria.  They lived there for 43 years and then bought a home in Milltown where they lived until she passed away.

Kay had a full life devoting herself to caring for her family.  She was an excellent seamstress and loved making clothing and costumes for Kiddie Parades, Halloween, etc.  There were many days spent at a fabric outlet picking out just the right material and then rushing home to start sewing.  She also bowled on a league for many years and did quite well.  Kay did find time after the kids started school to start up a few small business ventures, but in the end her thrift store Nifty Thrifty turned out to suit her best.  She loved helping people and this was a great place to do that.  If someone came in after a house fire or were just down on their luck they never left empty handed whether they had money to pay or not.  Her husband Lynn and son Jason helped out at the store so she had a lot of quality time with them.  When her son Gregg and his wife Peggy moved to Milltown she was delighted to have her entire family so close. 

Kay’s family would like to include into their family, Joyce Turnquist and her sons Cody and Dusty.  Kay and Joyce met while working together at Super Value in Balsam Lake and quickly developed a strong bond and became like family.  They spent many special occasions together but particularly loved Christmas.  Kay enjoyed watching Cody and Dusty as they grew from little boys into men.

Kay loved holidays and never missed a chance to get her family together.  All of us are going to miss Kay very much.  There’s a deep void in our lives now that we must deal with.  All we can do now is keep loving her and keep her memories alive.  She will be our Guardian Angel now and forever.

Kay leaves to celebrate her memory: husband, Lynn of Milltown, sons, Gregg (Peggy) and Jason of Milltown, sister, Ginny Gehrman (Dave), Centuria, granddaughter: Paige Ennis (Andrew) , New Richmond, WI; great grandchildren: Aubree, Brynlee and Caiden Ennis of New Richmond,  best friend, Joyce Turnquist, Centuria, WI; many nieces, nephews and too many friends to count.

She was preceded in death by: parents, Tom and Margie Jackson, sister, Ferne Johnson, nephew, Ted Johnson and nephew, Mike Gehrman.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Centuria, Wisconsin.  Kay’s family will greet visitors at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M.  Following the service please join the family for lunch and continued visitation in the church fellowship hall.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine "Kay" Belle (Jackson) Gunderson, please visit our floral store.