SURGE A. AMUNDSON

Wasilla resident Surge Albert Amundson, 81, died at his home of congestive heart failure on Jan. 26, 2005.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 30, at the American Legion Post #35, Mile 46 N. Parks Hwy., at Tweed Court in Wasilla.

Mr. Amundson was born in Chinook, Mont., on March 19, 1923. He earned his associate's degree in engineering and was a serviceman in the Navy for six years. He moved to Anchorage in 1961. He lived one year in Seward in 1963 and moved back to Anchorage. He lived there until 1975, when he moved to Wasilla.

Mr. Amundson was a commercial pilot, structural engineer, entrepreneur and "Jack of all trades." He worked on the Waldo Tunnel on Highway 101 north of San Francisco and worked for J.W. Dalton on the DEW line in 1954 and 1955.

After the earthquake of 1964, he moved a building from downtown to Spenard. At the time, it was the largest building ever moved in Anchorage. Mr. Amundson made a living as a commercial land developer in the Anchorage and Wasilla areas. He also was a commercial pilot and hunting guide from 1960 to 2004. He enjoyed flying, hockey, drawing, hunting, guiding, tinkering, welding, engineering, snowmachining and anything to do with Alaska.

His family wrote, "Daddy loved flying and he loved his friends and family. This Norwegian was always generous and never failed to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He lived a wonderful life and has all of his family and friends to thank for his beautiful life."

Mr. Amundson is survived by his children, Carla, Curt, Steve Flynn, Surge Jr., Gaya and Princess Kimber Amundson and his grandchildren, Ingrid, Lauren, Mathew, Justin, Ryan and Kai Amundson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.