October 20, 1943 – July 1, 2013
The Gudmundson family regrets to announce the passing of beloved father and grandfather Jon Darrell Gudmundson: electrical engineer, storyteller, poet, author, and Minister.
Darrell was born in Wadena on Oct. 20, 1943, and was brought up on the Gudmundson family homestead near Elfros. He attended school in Elfros and Wynyard before enrolling at the University of Saskatchewan. He met Edith Peters while he was a university student, and they married in 1965.
Darrell received his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the U of S in 1969. He joined SaskTel, where he had a long and productive career in both Regina and Saskatoon. From Engineering, he moved on to spend many years as a business planner, where he envisioned SaskTel’s role in the internet and delivery of the many services beyond the telephone which we now take for granted. Always renowned for “thinking outside the box”, many of Darrell’s visionary predictions are being implemented today. He finished his SaskTel career in Saskatoon providing his vision, strategic guidance, and marketing expertise to shepherd Operator Services into the new millennium.
Darrell began studying the Science of Mind in the 1990s. He became a practitioner and then in 2004 a Minister for the Centres for Spiritual Living. During this time he was also giving seminars and writing books and poems on a variety of topics.
When beloved wife Edith passed away last year, Darrell said of their marriage, “Forty-seven years wasn’t long enough.”
Darrell is survived by his three children Elena, Thora, and Jon, his sons-in-law Sean Cavanaugh and Derek Postnikoff, and granddaughter Eleita Cavanaugh.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Darrell at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at Wildwood Mennonite Church, 1502 Acadia Dr., Saskatoon. Rev. Lorraine Trout will be officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Centre for Spiritual Living, Box 8520, Saskatoon SK, S7K 6K6. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK (306-232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca).
All of these condolences have come to the Centre for Spiritual Living on behalf of Rev Darrell Gudmundson
His wonderful Presence is dearly missed along with his wise counsel and lively “punny” humor.
“truly his memory is forever in my heart” Reverend Lorraine Trout Spiritual Director
These words feel so inadequate.
We have lived well if the only words we leave behind are of praise, thanksgiving and blessing. The only words I have for Darrell Gudmundson and the impact he had on my life are in those three words. He blessed my life with his rich often delightfully bizarre sense of humor, with his integrity, his caring and compassion, his commitment to the Centre and his never faltering personal support. Also with his passion for the study and teachings of New Thought. His enthusiasm was contagious and uplifting.
My experience of Darrell is that he lived what he taught through his lectures, workshops and his writing. I feel deeply blessed and grateful that I knew him as a friend, a mentor and a colleague.
I send thoughts of love and compassion to the Gudmundson family and to all who grieve his passing.
Submitted in love Rev. Kim Fairrell. Victoria BC
Michelle Telford “A good friend , mentor, and kind soul. I honour my memories of you and Edith. I am blessed to have known you both. Thank you so much.”
Dori Sanders wrote: “I will miss your beautiful heart and your ways. Thank-you God for my memories. Bless you on your Journey Rev. Darrell. I Love You.”
I know how much he will be missed. Know my thoughts are with you all. much love
Reverend Connie Phelps Centres for Spiritual Living Edmonton.
Debbie Angell wrote: “What can I say, except dido. They both were very supportive when we were going through some tough stuff. Definitely leaving a space in my heart.
“Bless his heart and bless all those who will miss his physical presence. Bon Voyage, Darrell!”
Reverend Dr. Maureen Hoyt Center for Spiritual Living, Granada Hills, California
God Is…and a great journey and a great reunion with Edith, I know, awaits the grandeur and Eternal goodness of Darrell.
I last spoke with him when he was waiting for approval to get into the small assisted care facility operated, I believe by someone he personally knew.
I know, my dear Lorraine, that you and your community rally as always, with spiritual ‘love’ power, wisdom and unity in reaffirming strongly and authoritatively that the One and only LIfe there Is continues living Itself into glorious Self-Expression by means of each uniquely styled version of Godliness…here, there and everywhere…today, tomorrow and forevermore!
All my love and blessings galore to you personally and everyone,
Reverend Dr Susanne Rubin
Patricia Morgan Calgary wrote: “Lorraine Trout, What a lovely tribute to Darrell. I am sure you and your Saskatoon Centre members will always remember him with appreciation.”
I am thinking of you and yours Lorraine with much Love
I am dropping this note to say to you and yours at your Centre that I feel your great loss, I did not come to know him personally, but I felt from his involvement that “popped up everywhere and often” that he loved our teaching and furthered it with his very Life.. Many Blessings as you celebrate and grieve his move to the home we all know is the haven his soul needs at this time..
Love Rev Darlene Schneider Chase..
Mary Ellen Cassey “My prayers and most loving thoughts to you Rev. Lorraine, your congregation and to the family of Rev. Darrell Gudmundson. May you always be at peace knowing all is well in your world! :)”
These words feel so inadequate.
We have lived well if the only words we leave behind are of praise, thanksgiving and blessing. The only words I have for Darrell Gudmundson and the impact he had on my life are in those three words. He blessed my life with his rich often delightfully bizarre sense of humor, with his integrity, his caring and compassion, his commitment to the Centre and his never faltering personal support. Also with his passion for the study and teachings of New Thought. His enthusiasm was contagious and uplifting.
My experience of Darrell is that he lived what he taught through his lectures, workshops and his writing. I feel deeply blessed and grateful that I knew him as a friend, a mentor and a colleague.
I send thoughts of love and compassion to the Gudmundson family and to all who grieve his passing.
Submitted in love Rev. Kim Fairrell. Victoria BC
Dear Elena, Thora, and Jon, First of all, I wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure he will be greatly missed. You don’t know me at all, but my husband’s mother was cousins with your grandmother Tobba. About 10 years ago, we were in communication with your Grandmother and Father re family histories/stories etc. Many years have passed, life got busy and we lost touch. The other day I was looking through some of my papers and came across an email that your dad sent and I decided to get in touch with him. Sadly it appears, I am too late. I hope this does not seem too impertinent… I was wondering: Your dad mentioned that he had a picture of the Arngrimson family home in Iceland; if you happen to find it, I wonder if you would mind scanning it and sending me a copy. I would be ever so grateful. Thank you so much, and once again, please accept my condolences.
Sincerely,
Beth Fenske
Dear Elena, Thora, Jon & families, Darrell and I kept in touch over the years since the move to Saskatoon, having many philosophical discussions, sharing some laughs. He was a kind and intelligent man that I will miss. I’m still using the computer desk that he and I built in his basement in Regina!
Sincerely,
Neale Partington
Dear Elena,Thora,Jon,Sean,Derek and Elieta. We are so sorry to hear that Darrell passed away. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. A wonderful father, grandfather and friend that touched many lives with his wisdom, kindness and humor. You are in our hearts and thoughts at this time.
Love,
Olga and David
Dear Elena, Thora, Jon & families. I am so sorry to hear of Darrell’s passing, we have lost a kind, gentle, intelligent soul. As with your Mom, the world is a better place for having him here, be sure to know that he did make a huge difference in a lot of lives. That is his legacy. Thank you dear Darrell!
Sincerely, Val Scrivener