Jennie Sundnas

GARDNER - Jennie (Lesneski) Sundnas, 86, of 71 Barthel Avenue, Gardner, died Monday, January 18, 2010 at home, attended by her children. She was born in Gardner on May 14, 1923, the daughter of the late John and the late Josephine (Los) Lesneski. Mrs. Sundnas was a lifelong resident of Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1941. She met Arnold O. (Gus) Sundnas at a dance in 1949, and they married on June 30, 1951. Gus and Jennie enjoyed traveling to numerous national and international men's and women's Barber Shop competitions. Jennie was devoted to her family and home and went on many camping trips with her husband and children. She was a skilled seamstress, who enjoyed making Easter outfits for herself and her four children. She was an avid reader, who loved crossword puzzles. Jennie took great pleasure in baking, gardening, and canning vegetables. She was employed as a secretary at the former Union Twist Drill in Athol in her early years, then as an executive secretary with the former Conant Ball Furniture Company in Gardner for 12 years. She later worked as an executive secretary for the Protestant Youth Center and the Baldwinville Nursing Home for 20 years, retiring in 2000. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Gardner and the Holy Rosary Sodality of St. Joseph's Church in Gardner. She was a member of the Professional Business and Women's Club of Gardner and the Art's Lottery. She sang with the Chair City Pipers for 18 years. She leaves two daughters, Susan A. Saffle and her husband Dr. Jeffrey of Salt Lake City, Utah, Judith M. Mc Guane and her husband Gregory of Athol; two sons, Jeffrey M. Sundnas and his wife Jennifer of Gardner, Brian J. Sundnas and his wife Marcia of Kansas City, Kansas; four sisters, Adele Bockus of East Templeton, Irene LaJoie of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Helen Nicholson of Nova Scotia, Celia Landry of Gardner; one brother, Henry Lesneski of Indio, California; her sister in-law, Evelyn White of Gardner; and many nieces and nephews, including Patricia Lasky of Gardner. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Arnold O. Sundnas on May 15, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner. Calling hours will be held Friday, January 22, 2010 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant Street, Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440 or to North Worcester County Anglers' Club, P.O. Box 79, Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.poliksfuneralhome.com. Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant St., Gardner, is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });