Obituary of Gunnar Viljaste

Viljaste, Gunnar age 69, of White Bear Lake, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on March 2, 2015 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. Gunnar was born in Halle-Saale, Germany at the end of WWII to Estonian parents. He and his family lived in displaced persons camps in Germany and came to the U.S. in 1951, when he was six years old. He was raised in northeast Minneapolis and was a 1963 graduate of Edison High School. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1967 and was proud to be a four-year letter winner in Varsity Football and three-year starting end for the Golden Gusties. He and his wife, Adrienne, were married in 1968. They moved to Duluth, MN in 1972 and raised their family there. Gunnar was a loyal, longtime employee of Arrowhead Equipment Co in Duluth and was later president of the company. In 2010 he and Adrienne moved to White Bear Lake. For the past four years he worked as a move consultant with Two Men and a Truck moving company, a job he enjoyed during his semi-retirement years. He also enjoyed helping his wife with her stationery business, designing cards and delivering them to customers. Gunnar's whole life was committed to working hard and providing for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a generous and selfless giver of his time and energy to all those around him. He loved sports, reading the paper and keeping up with current events, and being outdoors. Most of all, he loved spending time with his children and especially with his cherished grandchildren. He was the world's best Dad and Grandpa. Gunnar was preceded in death by his parents, Leida and Alfred, and brother, Hillar. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Adrienne; daughter, Jennifer (Neal) Buddensiek; son, David (Jackie); and three grandchildren, Luke, Katherine, and Leah; and many friends and relatives. A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on Wed., March 11 at 11:30 am at Jax Cafe, 1928 University Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55418. Many thanks to Dr. Petryk and staff of MN Oncology for their compassionate care. Arrangements by Cremation Society of MN. Memorials preferred to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or American Cancer Society