February 5 1931 June 18 2021
Allyn’s Obituary Allyn O. Lunden, 90, of Brookings, passed away Friday, June 18, 2021, at his home, in Brookings due to complications with heart failure. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, July 23, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church beginning at 12:00 pm. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Allyn “Al” Oscar Lunden was born on February 5th, 1931, on a farm 5 miles west of Toronto, SD, the youngest of three boys. His parents, Oscar and Grace (Berg) Lunden soon moved to Pembina Country, North Dakota, at the north end of the Potato Belt, where he attended a one-room country school. He next went to Walsh County Ag-School and South Dakota State College where he majored in Agronomy. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict and later returned to South Dakota. He was united in marriage to Alice Stern on June 18th, 1955 and completed his study for his Master’s in Seed Technology. Allyn and Alice then moved south for him to earn his PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Florida in Gainesville. There, they welcomed the birth of their three daughters Cynthia, Linda, and Catherine. Thence five years of scientific research in Oak Ridge, TN before returning to Brookings for his career in plant breeding, teaching and seed technology before his early retirement for health reasons. Al was a very sincere and loyal lifetime Christian, but he was not a Spiritual Christian until a coffee break on July 31st at the age of 50, when he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That great experience brought new life and healing of his mind, body, and soul. Al’s baptism of the Holy Spirit was much like Saul’s Conversion to Paul on the Damascus Road and like Peters Miracle at Pentecost! He had been reading the book of John for some time during his coffee breaks in his 10×12 office at SDSU in a Gideon’s New Testament, when he anxiously and willingly chose to pledge his life to Christ. The question and Motto, “What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD?) immediately became his lifetime marching orders and Pledge of love, Loyalty and service was to God. Life’s transition from black and white to technicolor was absolutely amazing! Walking with Jesus is not only a Spiritual High but actually a Mt. Everest Plateau at the top of the world. He is the Only Way to Eternal life, love, joy, peace and comfort. Al loved the church, bowling, bean bags, square dancing, Mexican train dominos, scrabble, cribbage, and writing. But most of all he loved his family (blood related and otherwise) and Jesus. He passed away on June 18th, his and Alice’s 66th wedding anniversary. Allyn is survived by his wife, Alice Lunden, of Brookings, SD; two daughters, Linda (Dan) McGlothlen, of Box Elder, SD and Catherine Miller of Brookings, SD; son-in-law, Greg Silva of Brookings, SD; seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, John Stern of Brookings, SD, along with many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Grace (Berg) Lunden; daughter, Cynthia Silva (8/31/2009), great granddaughter, Elaine Elizabeth and two brothers, Robert and Richard Lunden. What a blessing he was for all of us. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the cancer research or heart research in Al Lunden’s name. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Allyn O. Lunden, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Allyn O Lunden February 5 1931 June 18 2021.
Death notice for the town of: Brookings, state: SD