Gareld "Gary" Warner Gunderson, age 78, of Rapid City, SD, passed away on the morning of March 10, 2023, in Mesa, AZ, at Banner Baywood Hospital. He was surrounded by his immediate family and passed peacefully.

Gary was born in Aberdeen, SD, to Robert and Violet (Campbell) Gunderson on July 10, 1944. He lived with his parents and brothers, Eldon and James, on a ranch in Hyde County north of Highmore, SD. He attended a country school and graduated from Highmore High School in 1962. He then attended and graduated from Southern State College in Springfield, SD. It was there that he met his wife, Rachel Namminga. They were married in Springfield, SD, on August 26, 1967.

The two newlyweds moved to Denver, CO, where Gary taught physical education for a year before he attended the USAF Officer Training School in San Antonio, TX. After his commissioning, his assignments were in Sacramento, CA, Denver, CO, and Biloxi, MS. Gary and Rachel met lifelong friends at each assignment.

After completing his USAF assignment in 1973, Gary and Rachel moved to Rapid City, SD, to be closer to family. After a brief stint at the investment firm of Piper, Jaffray & Hopwood, Gary began his banking, investment, and trust career at First National Bank of the Black Hills in 1975. The bank changed its name to Norwest Bank and, eventually, Wells Fargo Bank of South Dakota. Gary retired from Wells Fargo Bank of South Dakota in 2007.

Gary and Rachel became snowbirds in 2008 after Gary retired. During the winter months, Gary and Rachel would travel to Mesa, AZ, and live in the Valle del Oro Resort. They enjoyed meeting many new friends and connecting with several fellow South Dakotans while they lived their best lives in the mild desert winters. Gary loved golfing with his buddies and added lapidary and silver smithing to his list of hobbies. He loved creating jewelry for friends and family members alike.

Gary and Rachel have two children: Brian, born in 1972, and Mandy, born in 1978. Gary was a doting father. The children grew up in a loving home, and both Gary and Rachel made ample time for their various activities and sports. Besides these activities, the family spent many weekends camping in the Black Hills with friends and family during the summer months.

Besides camping with his family, Gary loved returning to the family ranch to hunt pheasant and deer with his cousins, uncles, and parents. To say the Gundersons and Campbells were close would be an understatement. The pheasant hunts, in particular, were yearly family reunions of 20-30 relatives all gathered together in Hyde County. It was awesome. These were special times for Gary as they were for all of us. These were the times where we first heard some of the great tales my father would tell with his relatives. Gary was such a great story teller. The laughter would continue long into the evenings as each new story was presented. Our favorite stories centered on the shenanigans Dad would get into with his cousins. We will miss a lot of things about my dad, but we'll probably miss the stories they would tell – and the giggling – the most.

Gary is survived by his wife, Rachel, of 56 years, his son, Brian (Sheri), his daughter, Mandy (Erik) Gaikowski, and four granddaughters, Madison, Elena, Anna, and Mara. He also leaves behind his brothers Eldon (Barbara) of Goodyear, AZ, and James of Highmore, SD. He was preceeded in death by his parents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Gary loved his family, immediate and extended, and his best memories would be all the amazing times we shared together. We will all miss you, Dad.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at Terra Sancta Retreat Center in the Emmaus Dining Room on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Parking is available near the main entrance on the west side of the building.