Beverly Lunder

Bev Lunder of Hawley, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016. She passed away peacefully with family by her side in the farmhouse where she had spent 65 years of her life as a farm wife, a farmer, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and caregiver to many. Bev celebrated 87 years of life.

Bev was born to parents Harold “Had” and Sigrid “Sig” MacDonald on June 9, 1928, in Hawley, Minnesota. She was their only child. Growing up, she worked with her father at MacDonald’s Creamery, which sold feed, poultry, eggs, and free advice such as “If your chickens don’t lay eggs with our mash, they’re roosters.” She graduated from Hawley High School in 1946 and graduated from business school in Moorhead in 1947. She returned to Hawley shortly after she graduated to work in her father’s business keeping books. She also worked as a book keeper for the Harris Brothers.

In 1951, she married Floyd Lunder, a farmer south of Hawley and World War II veteran. Her and Floyd had dairy and beef cattle. They also grew grains and baled a lot of straw and hay. They enjoyed rodeos, card games, and square dancing with family and friends. Later on, they sat in their grandchildren and great grandchildren’s fan sections to cheer on barrel racing and numerous football, volleyball, basketball, softball, and baseball games. Pancakes on the farm were served to whomever showed up on a Sunday morning; along with coffee and good company all of the time.

Bev is survived by her daughters, Sally Tom Critchley; Kris Bob Dolva, and Nancy Richard Scheid, and her sons Dan Sherry and Larry Brenda; 14 grandchildren; and, 20 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Lunder; her parents, Had and Sig MacDonald; her great-granddaughter, Lyla Hope Dolva;and her son-in-law, Chuck Ford .

A celebration of her memory will be held at Hawley Lutheran Church on April 9th, 2016. The memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m, with a memorial gathering one hour before the service. In accordance with Bev’s wishes, she will be cremated and she will not have to bale hay or mow any more grass where she has gone.

The family is grateful for the condolences. Red River Valley Hospice helped Bev and her family with the final part of her journey. Donations in Bev’s memory to hospice would be welcomed.