Gayle Gunderson
Gayle Marie Gunderson, 82, of Watford City, N.D., passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, after a life filled with the love of family, laughter and joy.
Gayle was born on Jan. 1, 1944, in Dunn County, N.D., to Sam and Dena (Boychenko) Charchenko. She grew up in the Grassy Butte area, attended elementary school and loved attending barn dances held in the community. Her parents moved the family to Watford City in 1956.
Gayle continued her education in Watford City, N.D.; met her forever love, Eugene Gunderson, graduated in the spring of 1962 from Watford City High School and married Eugene in the fall on October 27, 1962, Watford City, N.D. She joined him on the family farm, and she began a life filled with raising children - Jeff, Gena and Kim, and crops and cows. When her children went off to continue their higher education, she worked a few small part-time jobs off the farm in Watford City at the A&W and the McKenzie County Social Services, until her retirement.
Gayle always had a love of music; she was active in school choir and played drums in band. She also learned how to play the accordion. She loved entertaining the family with her musical talents; she would sing and get her old snare drum out and make quite a noise! There was always music playing in the farmhouse. She loved that her children were active in band and choir. She would be one of the first to go to their concerts so she could have the best seat to watch and tap her foot along.
Gayle also loved sports. She was at all the basketball games, track meets, and football games of her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong fan of football, if the Bison or Chiefs were playing, you could hear her cheering, loudly!
Gayle and Eugene spent many years wintering in Arizona. She loved being there to spend time with her Arizona family. She enjoyed watching her grandsons at their concerts and sporting events. You could always find her either next to the pool or in it, she loved the water. Water aerobics was her favorite.
Gayle loved to travel. Some of her travels took her to Italy, Hawaii, and to national parks. Her favorite was the smell of the pines in the black hills of South Dakota. She was always up to traveling, it didn’t matter where, even if it was a drive to go shopping, she was the first one in the car.
Gayle was active in her community, being involved in the local homemaker club, was on a bowling league and was a director on the McKenzie Electric Cooperative Operation Roundup Board for many years.
Gayle is survived by her husband, Eugene of rural Watford City, N.D.; son, Jeffery (Angie) Gunderson, Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Gena (David) Rolfsrud, rural Keene, N.D.; daughter, Kimberly (Daniel) Neprash, rural Watford City, N.D.; Grandsons, Ty (Chauncee) Rolfsrud, rural Keene, N.D.; Cole (Savannah) Rolfsrud, rural Keene, N.D.; Michael Neprash, rural Watford City, N.D.; Matthew Neprash, rural Watford City, N.D.; Evan (Emmy) Gunderson, Phoenix, Ariz. and Erik Gunderson, Phoenix, Ariz.; great-granddaughters, Hollyn Rolfsrud and Ava Rolfsrud; great-grandsons, Halvor Rolfsrud and Huck Rolfsrud; sister, Diana (Dennis) Pederson, Littleton, Colo.; sister-in-law, Ardis (Robert) Pederson, rural Watford City, N.D.; sister-in-law, Patti Gunderson, Fergus Falls, Minn.; and sister-in-law, Ordis Charchenko, Aurora, Colo.; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Gayle was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, Arthur Gunderson; mother-in-law, Mary Gunderson; brother, Robert Charchenko, Littleton, Colo.; brother-in-law, Bruce Gunderson, Fergus Halls, Minn.; and many dear aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Watford City, N.D., on Fri., April 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Service will be held on Sat., April 25, 2026, at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Watford City, N.D., at 1 p.m.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City is assisting the family.