Gunderson, Ruth Elaine Irelan Peiffer

Ruth Elaine Irelan Peiffer Gunderson, known in later years as “Gunny,” went from the compassionate hands of Northbrook Manor and St. Luke's Hospice to the Loving Mystery of God on Jan. 29, 2011.

She was born May 29, 1914, in Kensett, Iowa to Dr. Henry Harrison Irelan and Susie Marie Ashley Irelan. Her siblings were Nellie, Garnet, Frances (Bud), Hazel, all deceased. Her sister, Vida Sample, lives in Clinton, Tenn.

Her father moved his family and practice to Keota, Iowa when she was three. She was so proud of her father and his caring style of healing. He died when she was 13 and had been his helper in his office.

Gunny was a woman before her time. She was feisty and determined. If anyone, especially a man, told her she could not do something, she found a way to do it. When she was 18 she married Ernest Otto Peiffer - he was a farmer and 26 at the time. Ironically, Elaine had signed an insurance paper for him in her dad's office and he thought at the time she would be quite a lady. Gunny went from being a city girl to a farm girl. After farming in Keota they moved to Van Horne, where they farmed along Highway 30. They were married 13 years and had five children when Ernie died while doing chores. Those “kids” as Mom always called us are Ben, married to Mary Charlene, Mary Beth, married to Jack Parcheta, Carol, married to Joe/Pep Hartman, Bob, married to Mary Sophie, and Peggy, married to Michael McNamara. From these five couples there are now over 80 descendants down to five generations.

Gunny kept her family on the farm a few years and during that time worked for Dr. Dutton in Van Horne. She then went to Paris Beauty Academy and became a hairdresser. She set up shop in her home. She built a good business but her legs could not take that job. She then went to the Cedar Rapids Business College, graduated and became one of its teachers. She then moved her family to Cedar Rapids. During that time she married Earl Dunlap and later divorced.

When her two youngest were still in school, she moved to a farm on a lake near Aiken, Minn. In Aiken she worked in the courthouse. She then found the opportunity to buy a resort on Leech Lake, Grand Vu Lodge at Walker, Minn. Gunny worked hard growing that business for eight years. She sold it and moved to the Minneapolis area where she worked as an accountant for two different businesses. During that time she met Ludwig Gunderson while on jury duty. They were married and later built a home on a mountainside near Mena, Ark. - lived there a few years and moved to the town of Mena as Gunny had started a ceramic and hobby shop which she called Craft Corner. She and Lud did some ceramics together and worked a loom which they bought.

Gunny also was in a knit club, painted with oils and started quilting. She made Christmas ornaments for each family member each year - we all have identical trees at Christmas time. She knit sweaters or sewed something for each person each year! Her quilts number well over 100. Knit afghans for all and many stored for the pending graduations of great-grandchildren. She and Lud even had time to do some interesting travels. Lud died in January of 1982. She cherished Lud's grandson, Allen, wife Arlene and their two sons, who are also her survivors.

After Lud died Gunny moved to Hiawatha, Iowa to Bali Hai Estates and lived there for 20 years, always keeping her hands busy! In September of 2003, she moved to Lenoir City, Tenn., to lived with Peggy and Mike for six plus years. During that time Gunny kept busy making greeting cards and writing her story and a large family recipe book with the help of Peggy. During that time Mom became adept at using the Internet. Her next move was to Perry, Iowa, where she lived in a small apartment near some very caring grandchildren and new friends. She lived there 15 months and when she was just unable to care for herself, she became a resident of Northbrook Manor and for six months had their care and that of St. Luke's Hospice.

Gunny made her plans for interment through Cedar Memorial and it was her choice to have a private burial in Washington, Iowa, next to Ernie. She made her program for our celebration of memories which will be in the Spring.

One of our greatest gifts from Gunny was the start of weeklong family reunions held every two years at various places. It is a plan that holds our families together.

Gunny enjoyed giving to faith-based charities and loved children. If you so desire, please find a charity of your choice to honor her.

Online condolences may be made at under obituaries.