Memorial visitation celebrating the life of James W. “Jim” Gunter, 87, of Paynesville will be from 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Jim passed away at home on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Private burial with military honors will be in Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.
Jim was born on July 27, 1922 in Litchfield, Minnesota to Voice and Marie (Shoultz) Gunter. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1940 and held the pole vaulting record until 1963. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He and his wife, Borgie, ran a restaurant business in Litchfield while Jim attended Dunwoody Institute for Sign Lettering. Jim owned and operated Viking Signs in Litchfield until 1966, when he sold the business and moved to Paynesville. Jim then owned and operated Gunter Signs, first in Willmar, and later in Paynesville. He was a member of Paynesville Lutheran Church.
Jim loved spending time with family and the great outdoors where he enjoyed the birds and animals. Jim had many talents, and will be remembered as a great cook, carpenter, artist, athlete and a gentle man who was the most wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Jim is survived by seven of his nine children, Dorothy (Larry) Mohr of Paynesville, Dale (Robin) Wood of Grass Valley, California, Gerry (Duane) Watt of Litchfield, Anita (John) McDonald of Paynesville, Colleen (Ken) Fenner of Litchfield, Lola (Ron) Thomton of Deer River, Julie (John) Bergstrom of Paynesville; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren; and brother, Virgil (Shorty) of Grand Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Borgie in 1992; son, Steve in 1985; daughter, Brenda in 1999; granddaughter, Jennifer Bergstrom in 2008; great grandson, Christopher Mohr in 1983; and two brothers.
