Obituary for Mary Gundersen Bugge
Mary Gundersen Bugge, age 84 of La Crosse, Wisconsin died peacefully at Bethany Riverside Care Center with her daughter, Marianne and friend Pat Sheehan at her side on Monday, April 5, 2010.
Mary was born on October 14, 1925 and grew up in La Crosse. She graduated from Centrall High School in 1943. She attended Smith College for two years, and in 1947 graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in History. She married Frederik M. Bugge in 1949 and in 1951 moved to Norway where she lived until the mid-1980’s. Mary then returned to La Crosse to live in her parents’ home in Ebner Coulee.
Mary had a rich and active life. She was a world traveler, but mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family at the seashore in Norway, at her home in Ebner Coulee and in Shorewood.
Mary taught her grandchildren the value of good nutrition (oatmeal for breakfast), appreciation of nature (hiking, picking flowers and mushrooms and fishing in the Oslo Fjord). She also taught them the importance of conservation. Her favorite gift to a grandchild would have been a good book.
Her many other activities and interests included sewing, gardening, world issues and reading. She was a long-time member of AAUW Bookfellows.
Mary greatly valued her relatives and friends. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Mary is survived by her four children, Marianne (Homér) Sambar of Shorewood, Wisconsin, Wilhelm (Birthe), Gudrun (Michel) Andvord, and Lars (Konni Dahl), all of Oslo, Norway, and her thirteen grandchildren. She is survived by her two brothers, Gunnar A. Gundersen and Cameron B. (Rachel) Gundersen, and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gunnar Sr. and Mary Gundersen, her sister Anne and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gundersen.
Her children wish to thank the staff at Bethany Hearten House and the staff at the “Lighthouse” at Bethany Riverside for the compassionate and dignified care they gave Mary. Thanks also go to Roxanna Morgan for her dedication to Mary’s care these last six years.
A memorial service will take place on May 22, 2010 at the Faith and Life Center at Bethany Riverside at 1:00 p.m. (2575 South 7th Street, La Crosse, WI 54601). A private burial will take place later.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. You may visit www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com to share an online condolence or information.
