Lyman Gunem
Lyman (Lum) D. Gunem, 81, died peacefully, ready to be welcomed by his Savior, on September 13, 2017, at Care Partners Assisted Living, Altoona, WI. He was born on October 2, 1935, to his parents Gilbert and Elvina (Eide) Gunem, of Osseo, WI. He was baptized on October 27, 1935 and confirmed on June 12, 1949 at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Osseo.
Lum’s activities filled his life as a youth with great variety. He loved camping, building shacks, playing his ukulele and singing, running track in high school, and ski jumping. As an adult, he became a loyal Green Bay Packers fan. He would remind anyone near him of the date and time for the next Packer game. He was waiting for it, and thought others should be, too.
He attended Osseo schools and graduated from Lincoln Hills High School in 1953. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1954 which permitted him to select an area of service, which matched his interests. He was trained as a radio operator. After completing his two-year enlistment, he enlisted in the Air Force and continued using his skills as a high-speed radio operator. During his four-year period of enlistment, he served on foreign soil in Japan and Korea for two years and three months. When he completed his assignment with the Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., he chose to remain on the east coast. He found work at Sea Land Transit in Elizabeth, NJ, in their billing department. Accuracy and attention to details suited him and he received promotions through nine pay grades in less time than anyone had previously achieved.
Later employment reflected his teenage interest in carpentry, and he worked in home construction and painting.
Lum is survived by his sisters: Elenore Gunem, La Crosse, WI; Inez Abraham, Houston, MN; and Hope Fielder, Plymouth, WI; brother-in-law Fred Holland, Herndon, VA; twelve nieces and nephews, thirty-one great nieces and nephews, and 13 great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father (in 1964), mother (1993), brother Omer (2013), sister Beatrice Holland (1992), brothers-in-law Arlow Abraham (1973) and Bruce Fiedler (2017), nephew Lee Fiedler (2017) and niece Lynn Fielder (1981.
Lum’s family appreciates the wonderful care given him by the dedicated staff at Care Partners at Altoona. They served him through multiple challenges, and we say a heartfelt, “Thank you.”
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, September 22, at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Osseo Cemetery. Pastor Terry Lorenz will officiate. Visitation 10:00 AM Friday, to time of services.
Schiefelbein Funeral Home in Osseo is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left at schiefelbeinfh.com.
