Gerald R Lundeen

Gerald R. Lundeen, age 90, passed away of natural causes Sunday, January 30, 2022 in Murrells Inlet, SC. He was a resident at the Lakes at Litchfield, Pawleys Island, SC for five years. He was born February 21,1931 in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Gilbert R. and Lucille M. Lundeen. The Lundeen family relocated to Gardner, MA in the late 1930s. Gerald attended Mercersberg Academy Prep School after his graduation from Gardner High School. He then attended the University of Michigan where he obtained a degree in business administration. Upon graduation, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany post World War II for three years. He returned to Gardner, MA to marry his forever sweetheart, Phyllis Ann (Novak) Lundeen of Gardner, MA on May 21, 1955. They returned to Germany to complete his service there. Once back in the US, he obtained his Certified Public Accountant designation from Boston College and then worked as a private CPA. He obtained a financial position at Hedstrom Company in Fitchburg, MA. He moved his family to Bedford, PA when the company relocated there. For 20 years he worked his way up the ranks and became CFO, succeeding his father, when Brown Group, Inc. purchased the company. In 1985, he took early retirement from the corporate world and became a permanent resident of Surfside Beach, SC and purchased his own business, A Air Conditioning in Myrtle Beach, SC. He successfully operated the company for 35 years. He worked side-by-side in the business with his son, Gregg for 30 years. Throughout his professional life, he sat on many Boards of Directors and business groups, including BCBS of Western Pennsylvania and HOA Boards in Murrells Inlet. In his early life, Gerald was a Boy Scout and a star athlete at Gardner High School where he excelled in any sport he played. He was a standout left-handed pitcher and held many school pitching records. This lead to a try-out with the Boston Red Sox and Farm Club opportunity. He remained a dedicated supporter of Gardner’s teams and coaches throughout his life. His quick wit and cleverness made him a popular star in his high school’s theatre program as well. Gerald was a devoted family man. He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Uncle and Grandfather and made every effort to spend time with his family. Gerald and his wife Phyllis enjoyed traveling with their children in motorhomes around the country and cruising to many places around the globe. The Lundeen home was a popular gathering place for his children’s friends and his wife’s students many of whom he mentored through their young lives. One of his greatest joys was attending sporting events with his family. He was an avid fan and donor to his alma mater, The University of Michigan. He also supported Penn State University where his son, Scott was a scholarship athlete. He was also a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and New England Patriots. To the end of his life, his knowledge of the sports world was remarkable. Gerald and Phyllis loved being near the water and purchased their first vacation home in Surfside Beach, SC in 1970. They moved permanently to Murrells Inlet in 1990 first to Island Green and then Blackmoor neighborhoods. His heart loved spending time at the beach sharing time with his family. Gerald owned his business until the age of 85 and remained an active in community events and financial investing. Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Phyllis Ann (Novak), two loving children, Cynthia Ann (Lundeen) Braciak and her husband Brett of Belleair, FL, and Scott Stephen Lundeen and his wife Nicki of Ringgold, GA. He leaves five loving grandchildren Nicholas Kriebel and his wife, Shelby, of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Christian Kriebel of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Caitlin (Kriebel) Underwood and her husband, Alex, of Jacksonville, FL, Shaun Talbert and his wife, Jessica, of Canton, Georgia, and Kaylee Weber of Ringgold, GA, along with 23 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death in 2020 by his son, Gregg Robert Lundeen, formerly of Myrtle Beach, in 2015 by his grandson, Logan Scott Lundeen, formerly of Ringgold, GA, in 2007 by his niece, Elizabeth Christensen, his parents, in 1995 by Gilbert R. and in 1999 by Lucille (Covell) Lundeen of Myrtle Beach, SC, formerly of Gardner, MA, and in 1979 by his sister, Patricia (Lundeen) Christensen, formerly of Gardner, MA, Thirteen brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law also preceded him in death. A Catholic blessing service, Army Honor Guard Tribute and Celebration of Life took place with his family, Lakes at Litchfield caretakers and friends on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Burroughs Funeral Home Chapel in Murrells Inlet, SC. Interment will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, SC. Gerald was deeply committed to his life’s friendships and treasured his wonderful friends and neighbors with all his heart. His family was most important to him and we all felt his love throughout our lives. The boy scout, the soldier, the veteran, the husband, the business professional, the father and grandfather, the uncle, and the friend to so many will be sorely missed. Gerald was extremely patriotic and supported many veteran support organizations. The family humbly requests donations in his name be made to The Wounded Warriors Project (www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or iPads for Soldiers Fund (www.ipadsforsoldiers.org). Any amount donated in his memory would be greatly appreciated. Cards of condolence may be mailed to Phyllis at 120 Lakes at Litchfield Drive, #424, Pawleys Island, SC. 29585.

Gerald R Lundeen

February 21, 1931 - January 30, 2022