Mary (Johnston) Gunderson, a former Sitka resident with good friends here, died July 2 at her home in Juneau. She was 80.
Mary Gunderson
She was born in 1936 in Spokane, Wash., the daughter of Emery and Jesse Johnston.
She lived half her life in Missoula and Kalispell, Mont., and the other half in Sitka and then Juneau, where she moved after leaving Sitka in 1996.
In Sitka, Mary worked at Staton’s Steakhouse, and was known as the best waitress in town. Her husband Ted Gunderson drove cab at Barkers’ taxi company for many years.
Both Mary and Ted were well known in Sitka, and considered to be the finest at their jobs, with great personalities and willingness to always be helpful, friends said. “They have been missed.”
Mary was preceded in death by the “love of her life,” her second husband Ted Gunderson, of Seattle; and her first husband, Arnie Fahr of Missoula; her sister, Nancy Bartz; and her parents, Emery and Jesse Johnston.
She is survived by her sister, Beverly Allen of the Seattle area; and children Brian Fahr (Jauroon), Seattle; Russell Fahr of Seattle; Karen Reyes (Bill) of Juneau; and Emery Gunderson (Christine) of South Dakota.
Numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild also survive.
Those wishing further information may email her son Brian Fahr at brianfehr08@gmail.com.