The Gundersons gave back to the community where they raised their family and built their assets
Verlene and Gerald Gunderson
“Tis better to give than receive” is a value that was instilled in Verlene and Gerald “Gundy” Gunderson while they were growing up in Beemer, Nebraska and Norway, Iowa.
The Gundersons once again put this value into practice with gifts to the Wausa Community Foundation Fund’s Endowment and the Lincoln Township Library Foundation.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Gundy began his career in banking in 1959 at the Commercial State Bank in Wausa. In 1994 he retired as President of the bank and today serves as Chairman. Gundy and Verlene are proud of the fact that ownership of the bank remains in local hands.
While Gundy was running the bank, Verlene kept busy as a homemaker and mother of three children. Today all of their children live, work and are raising their families in rural Nebraska.
“The community and people of Wausa have been so good to us, our business and our family that we feel a strong desire to pay back the community. If you feel you have gained monetarily and otherwise from your community, you should consider a charitable gift back to your community,” said the Gundersons.
As business owners, community leaders and now great grandparents, the Gundersons believe an unrestricted community endowment is an important asset because it is permanent and keeps giving year after year. “The grants from the endowment can be used to engage youth in the community, help build and train future leaders, and help keep business on main street,” said Gundy.
“The happiness, satisfaction and level of joy you receive when making a gift is a tremendous feeling. Once you have experienced that feeling you will want to repeat it over and over. It truly ‘tis better to give than receive,” explained Verlene.
