Laverne Duke Gunderson

Gunderson, LaVerne Duke, age 90, of Astoria, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, in Astoria, Oregon. She was born on May 25, 1922, in Wellington, Texas, the daughter of Robert Edgar Duke and Effie Pearl Duke.

In 1926, the family moved to a farm in the Sunnyside, Texas, area. She attended elementary school there and later graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1940.

After graduating from Drones Business School in 1943, she worked for the Dalby Freight Co. and later at the South Plains Army Air Base in Lubbock, Texas. In 1947, she moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where she met Robert N. Gunderson, and later married him in Lubbock, Texas, November 20, 1948.

She worked for a short time as a telephone operator and then in 1950 went to work for Douglas County Adult and Family Services. At the time of her retirement as the office supervisor in January 1984, she was officially recognized by the Governor for her distinguished service to the State of Oregon. She and her family lived in Umpqua, Oregon, from 1963 until 1999, at which time she moved with her husband to Astoria, Oregon, to live near her children.

Her interests were gardening and watching football with her husband. They were Oregon State Beaver boosters for many years. She enjoyed attending her church home at Astoria First Assembly of God, where she was an avid supporter.

Her husband preceded her in death in 2006. Family survivors include her daughters, Linda K. Hamar, and her husband Rev. James D. Hamar of Astoria; Gail A. Freeman of Oregon City, Oregon; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Francis Duke of Fort Worth, Texas; sister-in-law, Evelyn Addcox of Bellevue, Washington; grandsons, Kyle and wife Cody Hamar of Kirkland, Washington, Kirk Hamar, Kory Hamar, Kraig and wife Ashley Hamar, all of Astoria; and granddaughters, Jamie Hamar of Astoria and Taylor Freeman of Oregon City, Oregon; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews.

A private burial was held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, arranged with Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, March 23, at Astoria First Assembly of God at 11:00 a.m. The service will be followed with a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to Astoria First Assembly of God, 1775 7th Street, Astoria, OR 97103.