1952
Mary
2024
Mary Todd "Toad" Gunkelman
December 2, 1952 — November 23, 2024
Mary Todd died peacefully on Saturday, November 23rd, at Essentia Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on December 2, 1952, to John and Mary (McCannel) Gunkelman in Fargo, ND. She attended Fargo schools and graduated from NDSU in 1975 where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Mary was employed at St. Luke’s Hospital until joining IBM in 1978. After leaving IBM in 1990, she started doing what she really loved – designing and making a variety of craft items which she marketed under ToaDesigns and Jotz Angels. She also had a calligraphy service aptly named “Pen in Hand.” Although employed at Animal Health Clinic for only a short time, it proved a good investment of her time as she learned how to care for the loves of her life – her dogs. In 1999, Mary joined Dakota Construction of Fargo. She considered it an opportunity and privilege she couldn’t pass up – working with her brother, John!
Mary was a volunteer at the United Way, and Lost & Found Ministries and was on the board of the Ronald McDonald House. She had a strong faith and took great pleasure in helping those less fortunate or in need of special care. Mary’s passions were her dogs, gardening, music and family.
Mary is survived by the absolute joys of her life – her dogs Ivie, Daisie and Jazzie; brother John (Judy) Gunkelman and their children Sarah (BJ) Knutson – Cali, Casen, Stella and Jack; Andrew (Stephanie) – Easton and Shea; Molly (Ben) Askegaard – Cade, Cora and Wyatt; and Jeffrey (Ashley) – Aubrey and Emma; sister Jo (Don) Kilander and their children Kerry McCabe – Frank, Lucy and Jack; Kristi; and Katie (Bill) Egan – Avery and Kinley; sister Tracy (Jerry) Samson and their children Evan, Mark, and Lindsay (Eli) Duncan – Cohen and Charly; nieces Jessica (Jason) Just – Sam and Max; and Chelsea McNair – Austin and Emme Schmidt; brother-in-law Dale Hertel.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and John Gunkelman, sister Sandy Hertel, great-nephew Callum Duncan, and her “kids” Tasha, Oliver, Zoie, Teddie, Journie, Kenzie, Remie, Stormie, Sophie, Mollie, Breezie and Gabbie.
At Mary’s request, no service is planned. She hated being the center of attention. In lieu of attending her service, she requested that you “just be nice to someone today, tomorrow and jingle on.”
Mary wanted to issue a special thank you to her friends, her neighborhood and workout families, and her angel nieces – Sarah and Molly.
Mary asked that memorials go to any dog rescue organization, Lost & Found Recovery Center – Moorhead, Rape & Abuse Crisis Center – Fargo, or the Mary McCannel Gunkelman Fund – NDSU.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND
Mary was employed at St. Luke’s Hospital until joining IBM in 1978. After leaving IBM in 1990, she started doing what she really loved – designing and making a variety of craft items which she marketed under ToaDesigns and Jotz Angels. She also had a calligraphy service aptly named “Pen in Hand.” Although employed at Animal Health Clinic for only a short time, it proved a good investment of her time as she learned how to care for the loves of her life – her dogs. In 1999, Mary joined Dakota Construction of Fargo. She considered it an opportunity and privilege she couldn’t pass up – working with her brother, John!
Mary was a volunteer at the United Way, and Lost & Found Ministries and was on the board of the Ronald McDonald House. She had a strong faith and took great pleasure in helping those less fortunate or in need of special care. Mary’s passions were her dogs, gardening, music and family.
Mary is survived by the absolute joys of her life – her dogs Ivie, Daisie and Jazzie; brother John (Judy) Gunkelman and their children Sarah (BJ) Knutson – Cali, Casen, Stella and Jack; Andrew (Stephanie) – Easton and Shea; Molly (Ben) Askegaard – Cade, Cora and Wyatt; and Jeffrey (Ashley) – Aubrey and Emma; sister Jo (Don) Kilander and their children Kerry McCabe – Frank, Lucy and Jack; Kristi; and Katie (Bill) Egan – Avery and Kinley; sister Tracy (Jerry) Samson and their children Evan, Mark, and Lindsay (Eli) Duncan – Cohen and Charly; nieces Jessica (Jason) Just – Sam and Max; and Chelsea McNair – Austin and Emme Schmidt; brother-in-law Dale Hertel.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and John Gunkelman, sister Sandy Hertel, great-nephew Callum Duncan, and her “kids” Tasha, Oliver, Zoie, Teddie, Journie, Kenzie, Remie, Stormie, Sophie, Mollie, Breezie and Gabbie.
At Mary’s request, no service is planned. She hated being the center of attention. In lieu of attending her service, she requested that you “just be nice to someone today, tomorrow and jingle on.”
Mary wanted to issue a special thank you to her friends, her neighborhood and workout families, and her angel nieces – Sarah and Molly.
Mary asked that memorials go to any dog rescue organization, Lost & Found Recovery Center – Moorhead, Rape & Abuse Crisis Center – Fargo, or the Mary McCannel Gunkelman Fund – NDSU.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND
To send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Todd "Toad" Gunkelman, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 8
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors