Gordon Bunke

Gordon Bunke, 84, of Mansfield, SD, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Mansfield, SD, with Pastor Bret Bierman officiating. Burial follows at the church cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign his online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary in Aberdeen, with a public prayer service being held at 5:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Emil Gordon Bunke was born on July 1, 1929, in Aberdeen, SD, to Emil F. and Adeline (Dobrick) Bunke. The family made their home at Mina, SD, until Gordon was in the 1st grade, at which time they moved to Wisconsin. One year later, they returned to South Dakota and Gordon was raised in the Richmond area and attended school at Richmond Biegler School until the 8th grade. When Gordon was 14 years old, he and his family moved to the Spitzer Farm west of Westport, SD, where Gordon began farming with his father. Three years later, in 1946, he moved to Willow Creek Ranch.

Gordon was united in marriage to Leona Bretsch on September 20, 1949, in Hecla, SD. The couple made their home on the farm and their union was blessed with two sons and two daughters. They remained on the farm until 1983, when they moved to the Mansfield area. Gordon and Leona shared almost 53 years of marriage before she passed away on August 22, 2002. Gordon became a resident of Bethesda Home of Aberdeen in November of 2010 and continued to reside there until the time of his death.

Gordon was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Mansfield, SD. He was a lifelong farmer and dairy farmer who loved animals, especially horses, and spending time outdoors. He enjoyed country music, hunting, and working. In addition to being a farmer, Gordon also was a self-taught, exceptional carpenter. Above all, Gordon loved spending fun times with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will long be remembered for his great sense of humor.

Blessed to have shared Gordon’s life are his children: Yvonne (Adam) Malsam of Aberdeen, Lance Bunke of Warner, SD, Elaine Bunke of Aberdeen and Frank (Calli) Bunke of Mansfield, SD; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Edwin (Gloria) Bunke of Westport, SD and Mark Bunke of Wetonka, SD.

Gordon’s parents, wife, Leona, and two sisters, LaVonne Bunke and Phyllis Schumack preceded him in death.