Jan. 27, 1933 – Sept. 18, 2008
Richard “Dick” Amundson, 75, of Sweet Home died Sept. 18, 2008. He was born in Jan. 27, 1933 in Duluth, Minn., to Martin and Anna (Linder) Amundson.
As a young boy, family employment brought him to Vancouver, Wash.
During his Vancouver years, he dabbled as an entrepreneur with his grocery/block ice delivery service, complete with his hand-made cart.
He moved to Forest Grove at age 9 and arrived in Sweet Home in 1945, at age 12, and resided here until his death. He found employment in mills, construction work and eventually retired from the city of Albany’s wastewater treatment plant. He was a member of Riverside Christian Church, where he took charge of food contributions to SHEM.
Mr. Amundson loved music, playing the upright bass and harmonica. He was an avid hunter. Restoring his 1964 Dodge Dart convertible was a hobby for several years. He loved cooking and baking pies.
During the past four years he enjoyed his role as chauffeur to the South Santiam Sweet Potato Queens as their very own beloved “Lance Romance.”
He married Julieann Kaleese on Nov. 4, 1954, having one son and three daughters. Their love of family enabled them to open their home to numerous extended family members.
Mr. Amundson is survived by his wife, Julie, of Sweet Home; son Gary Amundson and his wife Tammy, of Turner; daughers Leane Roth and her husband Herb of North Bend, Lona Ikola and her husband Bob of Sweet Home, and Leesa Simpson of Albany; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings Betty Hugley, Anita Clifton and Gene Amundson of Sweet Home, and Elton Schaaf of Baker City; and half-sisters “Lenny” Goodwin and Julie May McMillian.
He was preceded in death by brothers Floyd, Arnie, and Ike; sisters Lucinda “Lukie” Totten and Luella “Lulu” Sills; son-in-law Todd Simpson; and great-granddaughter KateLyne Dugan.
Donations may be made in Mr. Amundson’s honor to SHEM, Sweet Home Emergency Ministries.
A funeral service was held Sept. 23 at Riverside Christian Church.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.