Marcella Mae Gunderson, 87, of Spearfish, formerly of Buffalo, SD passed away on March 18, 2020 in Spearfish. A private family burial will take place in the Ladner Cemetery. There will be a Memorial Service for Marcella planned in the future.

Marcella M Gunderson, born October 22, 1932 was the daughter of Henry and Hazel (Johnson) Newlander. She grew up 10 miles east of Ludlow with her siblings, Neil, Vernon and JoAnn. She attended grade school in Norbeck, SD and graduated from Buffalo High School. She received her teaching certificate from Black Hill College and started teaching in the Harding County country schools before becoming a "Mrs." as in those days the school system would not hire married women.

She married Alfred Gunderson on September 17, 1955 and moved from the Ludlow area to that western "God Forsaken" rough cowboy country of Ladner, SD. Their first home was at the Alverson Place where Alfred raised a few cows and trapped while Marcella taught school. They purchased the Oscar Moe place southwest of Ladner a few years later which is where they ranched and raised their family, Colleen and Roger Gunderson. Marcella was also "Mom" to many other kids who came to live, work and learn a few things at the ranch every summer.

Marcella was known to "not let any grass grow under her feet". She had a 57 Pontiac that she was quite proud of. It's rumored there may have been a race or two between her and Alfred on the flat south of the house.

Marcella was a member of a women's bowling league in Buffalo for several years and enjoyed playing whist or pinochle at neighborhood get togethers. There were many summer evenings that found her and Alfred pitching horseshoes in the backyard.

She had a soft spot for kids especially her three grandchildren Nichya, Jake and Brittany. Always the teacher, she spent countless hours reading to them when they were little. She taught them to dance, play cards and ride horses. It was a priority to take the grandkids on a special outing every summer. Fond memories were made going to such places as Storybook Island, Flintstone Village, the 1880 Train Mount Rushmore and Medora.

In 1994 Marcella moved to Spearfish. There she spent her time creating a beautifully landscaped yard and flower gardens. She loved to be outside mowing and making sure everything was just perfect. She enjoyed playing cards at the Spearfish Senior Center two days a week, her favorite being Wednesday's because that's when they played pinochle. Walking a couple of miles in the morning was part of her daily routine.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Hazel Newlander, infant brother Gary, siblings, Neil, Vernon, JoAnn and her husband of 50 years, Alfred.

Survivors include her children: Colleen Gunderson, Spearfish SD and Roger (Penny) Gunderson, Buffalo, SD. Grandchildren Nichya (Dustin) Vining, Buffalo, SD; Jake (Melissa) Gunderson, Los Alamos, NM; and Brittany (Doug) Hausman, Buffalo, SD.   Great Grandchildren: Aspen and Slade Vining, Alfred Roger Gunderson, Lloyd, Acacia and Martin Hausman.

A memorial scholarship fund is being established through the Ladner Lutheran Church

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services of Bowman in charge of the arrangements.