Grandma Sundberg

On November 10, 2013 the world lost an amazing woman, my grandmother, Gwendolyn Sundberg.  It took us all quite by surprise since she was only 87yrs old, still working full time at the Water CO., and healthy as could be.  She teased that she was waiting to be twinkled and I think we all believed she might outlive us all.  She died peacefully in her sleep.  That's about the closest you can get to being twinkled.  I'm happy for her that she is able to rejoin her husband, Kenneth Sundberg, who died 30+ years ago, before I was even born.  I also think she was very blessed in the way she died, because of the way she lived her life and kept her mind and body healthy. She didn't suffer physically or lose her mind in the end.  We only have good memories of her.

  She was a wonderful example to me of hard work, healthy living, self reliance, generosity, and love.  She continued to keep and care for an enormous garden in her backyard, she canned and stored her produce so she had vegetables and fruits year round, she walked every morning, she continued to work full time, and she hosted the best parties every year.  Even though I didn't ever live close, I always knew grandma loved me.  She never forgot to mail a Christmas present or a birthday card.  She will be remembered with fondness and I will cherish forever my copy of her personal history and her cookbook.

It broke my heart that I wasn't able to attend her funeral.  I wanted to be there to honor her but we couldn't work out a flight that could get me there and be back before Craig had to fly out to Washington D.C. for work the next day.  I'm happy it was recorded so I can still have a chance to hear what was said.  Of course in the partying spirit of Grandma she had a limo take the kids to cemetery after the service and had wanted everyone to be happy for her and have a picnic at the park.  Since it was freezing November weather they had a picnic inside instead.  I love my Grandma very much.  I'm happy for her that she went in the best way possible and she is with her husband now.  She lived a wonderful life and has left a legacy behind.  For her 80th birthday she wanted to hike Ensign peak with everyone.  She really was a super grandma!  Look at her go.  I remember that Jace was just a year old and popped one of the balloons on the way up the trail.  He was scared of balloons for a year afterwords. lol.

Showing off her gorgeous nails in red, her favorite color.

4 Generations picture with Grandma Sundberg, Brooke, Me, and Grandma Johnson at her birthday party in 2011.

Above: The Sundberg Family at a Christmas party in 2010.
Becky,Will, Grandma, Sue, Jim, Val, Mark, Lynne, Greg, Meg and Marlin.

Below:  The Sundberg Family all wearing red at her funeral in 2013.
Sue, Greg, Becky, Lynne, Marlin, Will, Jim, Val, Mark, and Meg

Brooke made this for Grandma Johnson because she knew she was sad about Grandma Sundberg.  It's a picture of Grandma Sundberg, Grandma, and Brooke holding hands under a rainbow and it says: Families can be together forever.

Her official Obituary:

1927~2013

Holladay, UT-In loving memory of Gwendolyn Andrus Sundberg. Gwendolyn was born June 6, 1927, in Marion, Utah to Willard Oscar and Gwendolyn Williams Andrus. She died peacefully in her sleep on November 10, 2013, at her home in Holladay, Utah. Married to Kenneth Maurice Sundberg on June 11, 1947 in the Salt Lake temple.

Gwendolyn was first and foremost a wife and a mother. Her life was spent on family, family, family, service, service, service, quilting, piano lessons for her children and grandchildren, sewing lessons, gardening, gardening, gardening, and more family. She attended LDS Business College and worked for Utah Power for a few years. She currently worked as the office manager at Holladay Water where she began over 60 years ago as an unpaid employee to help her husband and father-in-law keep up with the workload.
She is survived by her 10 children: Marlin Kenneth Sundberg (Claudia Coon), Lynne Birkeland (Clifford), James Andrus Sundberg (Kae Sharp), Susan Allen (Mark), Willard Guy Sundberg (Gail Gallant), Gregory Paul Sundberg (Gayle McCullough), Rebecca Johnson (Larry), Mark Quintin Sundberg (Sally Lundstrom), Meg Erekson (Ted), and Val Garth Sundberg (Lori Stewart), 49 grandchildren and 89 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her brother Willard Garth Andrus (Eloise Adamson), and Wanda Mackintosh (Dan).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Maurice Sundberg, and infant daughter, Wanda. Also preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Maxine Wilde, Lucy Erekson, LaVon Andrus, Marlin Andrus, Maurine Adams.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 11:00 a.m. at the Holladay 14th Ward chapel at 4917 Viewmont Street. Friends may gather on Friday, November 15, 6:00-8:00pm at Holladay Cottonwood Memorial Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, and one hour prior to the funeral at the Holladay 14th Ward. -