Laurel Marie Gunderson

A beautiful and bright shining light left this world, as she was called home to her Heavenly Father. Laurel Marie Gunderson, loving sister, cousin, and our favorite ‘Auntie’ passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 3, 2023. 

Laurel was born to Lila Packer Caldwell and Armand (Gunner) Yens Gunderson on June 8, 1946, in Weiser, Idaho  

She was raised in the country and farmlands of Preston, Idaho, surrounded by many strong female influences, teaching her that independent, strong-willed nature early on in life. The Packer Family had a very close bond, forming tender friendships with her many cousins lasting throughout her lifetime. Summers spent floating the river, playing in lakes, eating green apples, throwing a softball to her mom, encouraging her friends and cousins into trouble any chance she could. 

Laurel was very driven, serving as the Director of Nursing for Stanford University Medical Center. She received her master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of San Francisco. Laurel was instrumental to the field of nursing. She impacted numerous patient lives and the careers of many nurses entering the field over her 35-year career. Roles including cardiac care, transplant services, and intensive care. As a nurse, she traveled and had the opportunity to work in places like Hawaii and Virginia before settling at Stanford. Laurel received the prestigious ‘Thomas A. Gonda, MD, Employee of the Year’ An award given to an employee who has been nominated by co-workers and selected by a committee based on the nominee’s ongoing and outstanding contributions to the institution’s mission. She was the first Director of Nursing to receive this accolade. A great example of her lifelong mission to be a fierce advocate for all those she encountered. Many colleagues over the years, including world renowned surgeons – acknowledged her efforts even after retirement in 2002. 

She was an avid sports fan, having played softball in her early teen years, and a lifelong fan of football with her beloved San Francisco 49ers. There was never down time for this lady, her love of travel took her all over the world. Soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and islands of Fiji, touring medical sites in Russia, or enjoying a Disney Cruise with her family – there was not one minute wasted. 

Retirement brought her to Utah, to be closer to her sister and family. Laurel was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many church callings and enjoyed attending the Temple. 

With the many different titles, she carried over the years, by far her favorite, was Auntie. You could find her at the kids table, coordinating a thrilling card game, seed spitting contests or potato sack races. She loved her nieces and nephews, and they adored her. Laurel was generous with her love and her time. She is leaving the best gift for all of us who are left here without her, the gift of treasured memories. 

She is survived by her brother, Brent (Geri) Gunderson; sister, Joanna (Gary) Kellerstrass; all her ‘favorites’ 9 nieces and nephews; and many very important great nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and stepfather, Earle Caldwell. 

Charles Dickens said, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Laurel brought us joy, love, and so much laughter. She kept everyone on their toes with the perfect amount of sass.  

Help us carry on her legacy by taking the risk, working hard for your dreams, plan the trips, order the dessert, tell the jokes, stop by for that visit, be the first to the party and the last to leave. Most of all, never pass up the opportunity to laugh until you cry. 

Funeral Services will be held 11:00am Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse, Utah 84075. Friends and relatives may visit with the family from 6:00 to 8:00pm Friday, March 10, 2023, and on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30am at the mortuary. Interment will take place 2:30pm, Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Hillcrest Cemetery just outside of Preston, Idaho.

Condolences may be shared, and live streaming of the services may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Laurel’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.

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