Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, John Chesley Gundershaug, 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Pacific Palisades on April 30.
Born in Vallejo, California, on February 6, 1939, John grew up in Lodi with five siblings in a tight-knit, Norwegian family. He attended San Jose State, served in the Marine Corps Reserves, and enjoyed a successful career in human resources and labor relations, tackling assignments in locations as varied as Portland, Maine, and Farmington, New Mexico.
John and wife Toni met in San Francisco in 1968 and married a year later. Toni called him her “rock” and said that he was a kind and loving partner.
Together they raised two wonderful children and also played an integral role in the lives of the entire extended family. He was known by all in the family as a quietly generous and kind spirit.
John was a 42-year resident, a committed member of the community and a member of the Rotary Club. He was active in Boy Scouts for much of his life and served as an assistant scoutmaster in Troop 223. He served in many capacities at his parish, St. Matthew’s.
From skiing in Mammoth and hiking the Sierras to weekends at the beach, John loved the wilderness and beauty of California. He imbued that rugged spirit in his children and family friends on countless ski trips, backpacking treks, and road adventures. He and Toni also traveled abroad, and looked forward to visits with grandchildren in Colorado and northern California.
John is lovingly remembered by his wife, Toni Gundershaug; daughter Andrea Humphrey; son Erik Gundershaug; daughter-in-law Chenoa Gundershaug; son-in-law Kevin Humphrey; grandchildren Emmett and Kai Gundershaug and Kate and Lachlan Humphrey; sisters Frances Steele and Patsey Lithco; brother Tom Gundershaug and sister-in-law Adelle Carlson. He was preceded in death by his parents Norval and Betty Gundershaug, and two sisters, Louise Pena and Mary Anne Hawley-Norris.
Donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10001; or, St. Matthew’s Outreach Ministries Fund, 1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades 90272
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