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I am a Grandmother, four grown children, three grandchildren. I now live in Three Rivers California, one of the most beautiful places anywhere.
We are surrounded by mountians, low ones to the south and west ranging up to 4,000 feet. To the East and North there is the whole high Sierra range featuring one special high peak that is 11,200 feet and has snow seven to eight months out of the year. We are the southern gateway to Sequoia National Park and there a many features of historical interest and current happenings that are well worth seeing.
I live here with my husbans, Duane (Gunner) Gunnerud. We enjoy being part of our local Jazz Community that has a monthly performance and one whole weekend of Jazz the second weekend in April each year. Our band is called, High Sierra and they have many laurels attached to their name and travel world wide sharing their unique talent .
We a hardworking members of the Community Presbyterian Church. My husband 'Gunner' is vice president of our neighborhood water company. He tests the water regularly, operates the pump house, and takes care of emergencies, of which there are many.
I work in our local food pantry, The Bread Basket, our local Vacation Bible School, Sing in our church choir and in our local Three Rivers Chorus. I put out our church newsletter. I try to visit Senoirs, and my husband is always giving someone a ride to shop or see a Doctor.
On our 50th Anniversary we took an eleven day trip to Alaska, stoping in our old neighborhood in San Jose California, Mt. Forest Drive for their 34th, 4th of July block party. We also visit our daughter Sandy, her husband Craig and two grandaughters, Sophie and Lindsey often during the year.
We have another son, Chuck, his wife Melinda and grandson Nicholas in Santa Cruz CA. Melinda runs the Happy Valley Christian Camp ground there.
We have two unmarried sons, David and Ken. Ken lives in Three Rivers and is the manager of our local general store and is becoming an expert in coin collecting. Son David is working on a tropical farm on the Big Island of Hawaii and is also a chef.
I grew up in Phoenix. My last name was Niland. I attended North Phoenix High, graduating in 1951. My husband grew up in Rugby North Dakota, graduating in 1949. He was in the Air Force during the Korean War.
We met in 1956 in Phoenix and married in 1957 at Creighton Community Methodist Church in Phoenix.
Duane's parents, Hazel and Al Gunnerud were prominent citizens in Rugby and surrounding areas. Al owned C & G Lumber and Hardware and had stores in many small towns in North Dakota. Hazel was prominent
in the United Methodist Church at the National level by serving on the Board of Missions. She traveled to China and Europe and had contact with many missionaries. Hazel and Al put many young people through school and Al helped many farmers in North Dakota during hard economic times.
I guess you might say we do and have led the good life and hope for a few more good years to enjoy God's lovely world and see the grandkids finish growing up and be there for the dog when he dies. The dog is Smuckers. One of our many pets.