He was 59.
Hamilton City Manager Craig Bucheit said the city is “grateful for the time we had with Jody and for all that he gave to this community.”
“This is a huge loss,” he said. “This was shocking news and it has weighed heavily on so many of us today as we try to process it. You never really know how many lives someone touches until something like this happens and you start to reflect on it.”
Municipal Brew Works co-founder Jim Goodman had become good friends with Gunderson over the years, who said, “You’ll never find a better advocate for Hamilton or Hamilton business than Jody Gunderson.”
Gunderson’s wife, Kellie, died in 2021 after a fight with cancer. Municipal Brew Works named its Riehle Raspberry Ale after Kellie, using her maiden name. Goodman said Gunderson was so touched that he brought her family into Hamilton from Iowa after her memorial service.
“A great friend with a great family who cared so much about this city,” he said. “It’s a sad day.”
Gunderson had been in the community and economic development field for the entirety of his career, earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at the University of North Dakota in urban and economic development. He was hired by former Hamilton city manager Joshua Smith in January 2012, away from Northfield, Minn., where he served as the community and economic development director.
Smith, who is now President and CEO of the Butler County Finance Authority, met Gunderson 26 years ago, before either was employed by the city of Hamilton, “and we have been friends ever since.“
“He exemplified what it means to be an outstanding economic development professional. More importantly, he was an exceptional person, a devoted father, and on a lighter note, delivered the best Ronald Reagan impression,” Smith said. “His work in transforming Hamilton should be celebrated.”
Smith shared an email with the Journal-News from Saica, the Spanish corrugated box company that built its first U.S. facility in Hamilton. Gunderson was a key city official to help land the international manufacturer in Hamilton.
“I was shocked and sad,” said Francisco Carilla, of Saica in Spain. “We met Jody first in January 2020 and we appreciated very soon how competent, friendly and supportive Jody was. Hamilton became our new home in the US and he was always supporting us.”
Bucheit said Gunderson’s work will have “a lasting mark on our community,” calling him “a driving force in revitalizing Hamilton over the past decade.”
“He deserves a great deal of credit for that progress,” he said. ”But more than his amazing work, it is his good nature and his great sense of humor that I think most touched the people who worked alongside him and knew him well.”
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 and funeral services will immediately follow at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N.W. Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kellie and Jody Gunderson Memorial Fund at bit.ly/KellieandJodyGundersonMemorialFund which will honor their legacy and commitment to the city.
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