Stevensville – Darlene A. (Gunder) Flansburg, a precious daughter of God, went home Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the age of 75, surrounded by loved ones in her home in Stevensville.
Darlene was born to William G. and Martha R. (Mienke) Gunder in Algona, Iowa on November 11, 1940, the oldest of seven children.
As a child, Darlene lived in the Stevensville area moving occasionally for the family’s jobs. From age 11 to her teen years she was raised by her grandma Anna Mienke in Three Forks, MT. When asked about the greatest lesson taught in her childhood, Darlene said her mom and grandma taught her to love God, read the bible and be a good person.
Throughout Darlene’s life she was a hard worker at various jobs including working with the elderly as a PCA. On January 11, 1972 she married John Flansburg, Jr. in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The couple lived in Victor a few years before settling in Stevensville, and traveling to other areas for a living. Darlene and her husband raised two children of their own, Charity and Bill, as well as helping with their nephew, Adrian.
Darlene enjoyed being part of the Christian community, spending time with her loved ones and pets, participating in arts and crafts, helping her daughter with the garden and canning the harvest.
Recently it was a blessing for Darlene to take a family trip to Disneyland with her daughter, son-in-law, five of her grandchildren and two foster-grandkids. It is a memory the family will always cherish.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 22 years, John Flansburg, Jr., her mom Martha Shuffield, her step-dad, Ray Shuffield, her dad, William Gunder and three nephews. She is survived by her daughter, Charity (Matt) Turner, Stevensville; her son, Bill (Caressa) Flansburg, West Hope, ND; a nephew, Adrian Gunder, Las Cruces, NM; many other nieces and nephews; six siblings, Joe Gunder, Diane Seeber, Bob Robinson, Stevensville, Margaret Searle, Corvallis, Jerry Gunder, Creswell, OR, Vicki Anderson, Missoula; six grandchildren, Adrian, Isaac, Jacob and Tristin Flansburg and Robert and Laurie Turner; and a favorite brother-in-law, Dave Flansburg.
A private family graveside service will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 4 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St. in Stevensville with Pastor Bruce Ekkelboom officiating. “Mom, your gentle spirit and loving heart will be missed until we get to dance with Jesus together!”
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.