Odd James (Jim) Lunde

Odd James (Jim) Lunde age 89 was called home by his Heavenly Father on November 11, 2016 while surrounded by his family.  He was born on April 9, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York to Kezia Hestad Lunde and Jehu Lunde.  His parents had just arrived from Norway the day before. The family next moved to Vida, Montana to homestead and farm.   They later moved to Ferndale, Washington where Jim would meet and fall in love with Arlene Hanson.  They were married on April 5, 1950. He leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years, Arlene, of the family home; he is survived by his children and their spouses: Gary (Merry), Larry (Ruth), Alan (Melanie), Dawn (Dean) Russell and Scott (Jennifer). His grandchildren: Brian, Cory, Megan, Tami, Amy, Craig, Aaron, Neal, Seth, Quinn, Zackery, Logan and Madison.  Great-grandchildren: McKenzie, Cody, Briauna, Grace, Brenna, Austin, Emma, Samantha, Adelyn, Eleanor, Beatrice, Hudson, Crew, Grayden, Rustin, Anna, Caleb, Nora and Hailey with another due in June.  He is also survived by his sisters Elaine Hanson and Eleanor Sundean and numerous brother & sister “in-laws” nieces, nephews and greats.

Jim’s work life was a story in itself; In the early years he farmed in Vida, Montana, worked in the oil fields in Wolf Point, Montana, was part of the installation crew on the Minute Man missile program that had him moving his family from Montana to North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Also, he and his sons owned & operated a mobile pelleting business in Great Falls, Montana. After moving to Washington 1974 he drove truck on the Alcan Highway, worked on the Alaska pipeline, owned and operated his own long-haul trucking business, had a rural postal route in the Acme area with his wife Arlene and in his recent years did delivery for Tri-Van. 

Jim loved the Lord!  It was important to him that if he knew you, he wanted you to know and love his Lord.  Dad also loved a good revival service and working with world missions. He helped start several churches over the years and remained active at his home church Faith Community Church.

Dad had a love for John Deere tractors, a good joke, a free appreciation lunch, coffee at Jensen’s Floral, good old southern gospel music, as well as all things Norwegian especially lutefisk!  So much so he found a place that made lutefisk TV dinners and ordered them often.

Dad you have left a hole in our hearts and you will be greatly missed.  This is not good-bye; we will see you again in heaven.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice for their support while we cared for dad at home the past 7 weeks.  You made it possible for us to spend precious time with him and love him to heaven.

Viewing will be on Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 from 6:00-8:00pm at Sig’s Funeral Services. Graveside service will be at Enterprise Cemetery on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:00am with a Celebration of Life at 1:00pm at Faith Community Church 586 Birch Bay Lynden Road, Lynden, Washington.  There will be a reception following in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Whatcom County P.O. Box 3137 Ferndale, WA 98248 or Whatcom Hospice.