Inez Jane (Williams) Gunnerson, 83 of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024, surrounded by her family at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in St. Paul.  

Inez was born on Feb. 17, 1941, to Sidney and Hazel (Haynes) Williams in Gothenburg. She grew up in Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1959. Inez was united in marriage to Rex Gunnerson on April 3, 1960, in Gothenburg. From this union, four children were born: Valerie, Machell, Stewart, and Patricia. 

Inez and Rex spent their first few years of marriage living the military life in multiple states. They returned to central Nebraska and raised their children in Gothenburg, Cozad, and Arnold. Then, prior to their retirement in Cairo, they both worked for the Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center for over 15 years.

Inez’s priority was her family. Her husband and her children never doubted her devotion and love for them. She was a master seamstress, both in her work and her personal life. The homes of her children and grandchildren are filled with handmade items from quilts to Christmas stockings and everything in between. Inez taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School during the many years they lived in Gothenburg. She made it a point to attend as many of her grandchildren’s school and sporting events as possible. Grandma was their most enthusiastic cheerleader.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Jerry Knapp of Lincoln; daughter and son-in-law, Machell and Kent Naylor of St. Paul; son and daughter-in-law, Stewart and Daphne Gunnerson of Ankeny, Iowa; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Jeff McWhorter of Loveland, Colorado; grandchildren, Kelly, Ryan, Crysta, Nicole, Laurel, Gavin, and Wade, and great-grandson Callan; brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Kathy Williams of Palmer; brother-in-law, Larry Franzen of Gothenburg; and many nieces and nephews.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Rex Allen Gunnerson, in December 2023; her parents, Sidney and Hazel Williams; and sister, Marye Franzen.

The family would like to publicly thank AseraCare Hospice. The care, compassion, and knowledge these special nurses, especially Sarah and Payton, gave to our mother in her final week was extraordinary. Thank you.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 17, from 2-4 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, with the family present. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 18, at the First United Methodist Church in Gothenburg with Pastor Susan Murithi officiating. Interment will be held immediately following at the Gothenburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Gothenburg United Methodist Church or St. Paul United Methodist Church.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.