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Adleide C. Gunhus, 98

Jul 10, 2011

Adleide Gunhus

Underwood — Adleide Christine Gunhus, age 98, of Underwood, died on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center, in Blue Earth.

She was born on May 26, 1913, in Proctor, to Thomas K. and Jensine B. Anderson. Because Norwegian was the language spoken at home, Adleide didn’t learn English until she went to school. This bi-lingual heritage would serve her well later in life.

Adleide went to school in Proctor. During her high school years her musical talents were noticed and she played the lead in several operettas produced by the high school music department. Her music abilities as pianist and organist were used in churches and military chapels in several parts of the world, as well as her gifts as soloist and choir director. God used her through her music.

Adleide met Harms Gunhus in 1930 when he attended an ordination service of a friend in Duluth. It wasn’t until 1934 that they were engaged in Grand Forks, N.D., and were married in 1936 when Harms was called to serve a Lutheran Brethren church in Enderlin, N.D.

Two of their four children were born in Enderlin, a third in Chicago, where they were serving a church. The fourth was born in Seattle, Wash., after Harms, then an Army Chaplain, returned from the Pacific Theater at the end of World War II.

During the 20 years as an Army Chaplain’s wife, Adleide supported Harms’ ministry in the U.S., Japan and Germany. She was a tower of strength and courage, having to care for her four children alone when Harms was overseas during WWII and the Korean War. When she was with him on his Army assignments, Adleide used her musical gifts to minister to the military and their families.

After Harms retired from the service they served churches in Blue Earth, and in Maine, MN, where Adleide’s talents were again utilized.

When Harms passed away in 1994, Adleide lived in Fergus Falls until she moved to Blue Earth where she was near her youngest son until she went to be with Jesus.

Adleide was a loving wife, a caring and gracious mother, and a gifted musician. She was a woman of courage and spiritual strength. She will be greatly missed by all of her many friends and her family who loved her so dearly.

Adleide is survived by her four children: Clairice (Trygve Loren) Garborg, Gaylord (Ann) Gunhus, Helmer (Mary) Gunhus, and Richard (Dianne) Gunhus; her 10 grandchildren: Keith (Joanie) Garborg, Chris (Lisa) Garborg, Kjell (Carol) Garborg, Kevin (Julie) Gunhus, Michael (Lisa) Gunhus, Holly Gunhus Johnson, Renee (Mark) Aho, Karen (Steve) Luten, Sheila (Mike) Busch, and Suzanne (Scott) Otto; her great-grandchildren: Sean Garborg, C. Spencer and Tucker Garborg, Davis Garborg, Tyler, Cody and Payton Gunhus, Claudia and Jamison Gunhus, Lauren and Maxwell Johnson, William, Benjamin and Josiah Aho, Mary and Jacob Luten, Max Busch, and Ruth and Rachel Otto.

Adleide was preceded in death by her husband, Harms; her mother and father; three brothers, Joseph (Ruby) Anderson, Tryvgve (Betty) Anderson, and Monroe (Grace); and her great-granddaughter, Elise Garborg.

A Memorial Service was held July 8, 2011, at Maine Presbyterian, in Maine, MN. The Rev. Glenn Lord and Rev. Elroy Vesta officiated. A private family internment service was held.

Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, of Fergus Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

The family has requested that Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, should be designated for the Lutheran Brethren International Mission, Church of the Lutheran Brethren, PO Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655.