July 23, 1936 - June 5, 2016

Barbara Ann Gunderson, 79, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2016 in Stuart, Florida under the care of Treasure Coast Hospice.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Barbara graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1954 and attended college at the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Stout. She later moved to beautiful Lake Minnetonka where she resided with her husband, Arthur "Gus" Gunderson and her daughters, Elizabeth "Betsy" Gunderson and Kelli Wilson (Gunderson). She moved to Stuart, Florida in August of 1979.

In Minnesota she worked with the Orono public school system and also at the family owned business located on Lake Minnetonka, the Union 76 service station (and snowplowing). She loved Minnesota and the many years spent boating, snowmobiling, ice skating, and camping on weekends at Jellystone Park. Her friends in Minnesota fondly remember the vintage popcorn wagon that she restored and displayed at the service station. It became a weekend tradition for locals to stop by just to get popcorn and hotdogs.

Upon moving to Florida, the family opened and operated a restaurant in Stuart known as Gus' Chicken and Rib Shack. From 1982 until her retirement in 2003, Barbara was a paraprofessional at Warfield Elementary and later a media assistant at J.D. Parker. She enjoyed working with children and truly loved her job and the people she worked with.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Gunderson and Kelli Wilson (fianc Tim) of Stuart; her grandchildren, Kristina Morris (husband Craig) and Brandon Wilson of Stuart; her brothers, Ronald Johnson (wife Cindy) of Davis, California and Steven Johnson (wife Cindy) of Delano, Minnesota; together with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Arthur "Gus" Gunderson, her father, Erling Johnson, her mother, Dorothy Smith (Johnson) and her brother, Warren Johnson (wife Jill).

Barbara was a courageous woman and battled severe rheumatoid arthritis for half of her life. Though in pain, she never complained and insisted on living independently until the past year when her grandson Brandon (her "rock") assisted her. Barbara was a quiet person, an obsessive reader, enjoyed her computer, and crossword challenges were a daily routine. Earlier in life she was a ham radio operator and attended many "ham fests." A talented seamstress, she spent long hours sewing and crafting. She loved animals, especially her cat, Maggie, who died 2 weeks prior to her passing. She will be missed by her surviving cats, Sweetheart and Saki.

In her younger years Barbara enjoyed traveling and took many trips out west to Yellowstone and the Tetons, south to Antigua and even toured Europe by backpack for 6 weeks. She loved the outdoors, and enjoyed primitive tent camping with her grandchildren, Kristina and Brandon. She adored her grandchildren and she devoted much of her life to spending quality time with them.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues. The family wishes to express a big thank you to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, in particular Jackie, Ronnie and Teddi, for taking such good care of her and comforting her until her passing; the nurses and staff at Salerno Bay Health and Rehabilitative Services; and her out of state family and close friends who uplifted her spirits and kept her smiling during the last few months of her life.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held on July 23rd (her 80th birthday) at 2:00 p.m. at The Flagler Place in Downtown Stuart.

Contributions as a memorial may be made in Barbara's memory to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, Florida 34997.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com