In Loving Memory of Dan Gunderson
By Karen Pickering
Dan was born February 27, 1914, Frog Lake, AB and passed away August 20, 2004, Williams Lake, BC.
His funeral service was held at St. Andrews United Church, Saturday, August 28th. At the funeral old-time fiddle music played and his casket was displayed with his favorite saddle. A horse drawn wagon carried Dan’s casket to the Williams Lake Cemetery a mile from the church.
I had the privilege of visiting Dan and his wife Pat at their ranch in Williams Lake. My connection with Dan was through my cousin Gordon Bakke who encouraged me for quite a while to get to know Dan. I traveled to his ranch with my good friend, Lori Crawford. We had a wonderful weekend talking horses and seeing all the things he’d worked on over the past several decades. It was a pleasant journey through time, which I will treasure forever. In October of 2000 I wrote a short article about Dan and his horses. I must say it was a good thing I didn’t have a horse trailer with me when we visited. I would most likely have come home with another horse or two! God bless you and your family, Dan. Thanks for being such an integral part of the horse community.
Information about Gunderson Quarter Horses will be posted on our website, www.nwhorsesource.com January 1st.
The Passing of Percy
Last month our issue focused on the senior horse and included an article on a 32 year-old Appaloosa named Percy. On Sunday October 31, 2004 Percy passed away due to natural causes. He will be greatly missed by Paula and her family who have loved him for 26 years. The staff at NWHS, and we’re sure our readers as well, send our warmest heart felt condolences to the Jeffers family. Thank you Percy for the longest of rides!