ObituaryTerry Lee (Gunny/Gunner) Gunnarson, 61

Terry Lee (Gunny/Gunner) Gunnarson, 61, passed away peacefully on Friday, January  9, 2026, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with his mom by his side. Terry was born on November 4, 1964, in Hallock, MN, to Wallace and Shirley (Hickok) Gunnarson. Terry lived in Lake Bronson with his family for his entire life.  

Terry had two sisters, Ann and Cheryl. He was confirmed at the Lake Bronson Covenant Church, and he graduated from Tri-County (Karlstad) in 1984.  Following graduation, Terry became part of the DAC family and worked at various places in Kittson County. He also worked at the Spear W Ranch beginning in 1997. Terry was kind, a very hard worker, and had an unbeatable personality and a smile that anyone who met him would never forget. He was strong and didn't seem to really know what pain was.  Even during his last difficult days of life, he smiled and gave the "rock on" sign. 

Most every morning at 6:00 a.m. (unless it was deer hunting or calving season), Terry made the trek to Cenex for his morning coffee. The workers were always greeted with a smile. Throughout the years, Terry frequented the establishments in Lake Bronson and other area towns. He and his sister, Cheryl, loved the band "Fire" and would travel to listen to them and to shake a leg.  

Terry was a very proud 27-year member of the Halma-Lake Bronson Sons of American Legion. He volunteered every year, putting up and taking down the flags and flag poles at the local cemeteries for Memorial Day. Terry also volunteered for the Lake Bronson Legion roofing project several years ago, as well as several other projects when they needed help.

Each fall, Terry could be found at deer camps in Cannon Township most every night. He loved the deer camp crews, and they loved him.  For the past 28 winters, Terry spent time assisting with the calving operation at the Spear W. He looked forward to this each year. In the early years, they slept in a little camper that didn't have much heat, but in recent years, a calving "shack" was moved in, complete with heat and electricity and a big screen TV so Gunner could watch his sports (football and March Madness.) Gunny enjoyed riding along to Sisseton to sell calves. Everyone near and far knew and loved Gunner.

RIP Terry Lee - selfless, humble, happy, honest, and a heart of gold.  You will be so missed!

Terry is survived by his mom, Shirley, Lake Bronson, MN; sisters, Anne Gunnarson and Harlan Gustafson, Karlstad, MN, and Cheryl Gunnarson, Lake Bronson, MN; and his "second" family, Randy and Mendy Coffield, Josh, Whitney, Parker, Easton, Colton, and Baylor Carr, Brady, Hayley, Iris, Liv, Sutton, and Sander Coffield, and Trevor, Grace, Croix, and Clay Coffield.  He also leaves behind many loved friends and relatives.

Terry was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Gunnarson, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Bronson, MN. Visitation will be held at the church for an hour before the service. Burial will take place at the Lake Bronson Riverside Cemetery, with lunch to follow at the Lake Bronson American Legion. Arrangements by Austin Funeral Home, Hallock, MN.