Emily was born in Minot, ND, March 13, 1992, to Troy and Sheri Gunderson. She grew up in Jamestown, ND starting her life passions in creative arts, piano, and friendships. At age 14 a chronic illness entered her life leading to many painful procedures and emergency hospitalizations. While recovering from kidney transplant surgery at Mayo Clinic she stayed in the Ronald McDonald House and became friends with a boy who would later become her husband.

Unfortunately, the transplanted kidney was removed, and she was dependent on dialysis for the last 17 years. Despite dealing with these hardships, she lived her life in full bloom. Emily was on the Dickinson State University homecoming court, involved in theater, graduated with a degree in communications and minor in psychology, and worked for their foundation. In her marketing roles, she had a natural talent for art and understanding what draws the human eye.

When Emily moved back to be an RA at University of Jamestown, she challenged herself to become an EMT and serve with Jamestown Area Ambulance. When her friend, Mardee, moved to Arizona and needed a roommate, Emily saw her chance for adventure. There she started in logistics for Amazon and took on the challenge of streamlining processes. A transfer to Human Resources allowed more use of her creativity. She also joined Rotary because it brought her much satisfaction to serve others. Experiencing new things was her delight; she learned jujitsu, went sky-diving and hot air ballooning… picking up the social media nickname “lil birdy”.

Jacob and Emily’s online relationship turned into true love, and they were legally married on March 26, 2019, in Arizona. They lived there several years, with relatively good health, before moving to Eau Claire, WI in 2021 to be closer to family. Emily got to have her fairy tale wedding August 1, in Minnesota and what a blessing to celebrate their marriage. During their Wisconsin years Emily was able to follow her heart and passion in the world of non-profit. She earned her Commissioned Professional certificate as a District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America. Then due to vision loss a career change was needed, and Emily truly enjoyed a Human Resources position at L.E. Phillips Career Development Center developing friendships with so many people dealing with disabilities. At the end of January this year, the last move was to Fargo, ND where she worked for the FM Area Foundation. We all appreciated more frequent family times with Jacob and Emily closer these last 9 months.

No matter the job or activity she was involved in, Emily always made deep and impactful friendships wherever she went. Ever a kid at heart, she was always creating fun, especially for her nieces, nephew and friend’s children. Even though life seemed unfair with many serious health issues, and multiple hours per week sitting beside a dialysis machine, Emily was a joy giver and spread her light to the world. She passed away September 16, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Rochester from complications of low blood pressure that she struggled with for years. She lived 33 years of a purposeful life, knowing heaven would be her new home. We miss her greatly. Words cannot express the overwhelming gratitude we feel for the tangible and prayer support our family has been shown through the community of Jamestown, the family of Christ, and Emily’s friends. You have made this journey easier by lightening our burden.

Emily is survived by her husband, their dog Roo, her parents, sister Natalie (Austin) Dvirnak and their children (Olivia, Elaina, Micah, Mileah, and Zamara), brother Parker (Cheyenne) Gunderson and their children (Everly and Luna), and brother Uriah Gunderson. She was preceded in death by Grandmother Evelyn Gunderson, but is survived by grandparents, Howard Gunderson, Valeda (Barney) Greenspan, and Phil (Marie) Fabricius, and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A prayer service is being held Sunday, Sept. 21st, at 6 pm at Temple Baptist church, with viewing the hour before. 

Her celebration of life will be held Monday, Sept 22nd, at 10 a.m. at Temple Baptist Church. Viewing and visitation is one hour before. A graveside service immediately after the funeral at Highland Home Cemetery will be followed by lunch back at the church.

You can honor Emily’s memory with cash gifts to help with expenses, flowers, or donations to the Ronald McDonald house in Fargo, ND at https://rmhcfargo.org/donate/