She was born to the late Aime H. Vondal and Eva M. Gastonguay Vondal on August 6, 1919. She had an older brother Lawrence (deceased) and a younger sister Agnes Reidhammer of Banning California.
Mom grew up on a farm in Walhalla, North Dakota in a two story log home,, which we loved to visit and stay as children. She married Lynn Gunlogson of Cavalier, North Dakota on April 2nd 1941. They had five children, Margaret Rysavy of Reno, Nevada and Marjorie Simpson, also of Reno, Marvin Gunlogson, (deceased) of Anchorage Alaska, Marleen Baker and husband Darrell of Redding, California and Mark Gunlogson Sr. and wife Janice also of Redding. Cecilia had 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.
Her husband Lynn was well known for his building skills, especially the rectory at Saint Boniface Church in Walhalla.
The family moved to Westminster, California in 1956, where she began her life's work as a volunteer at Blessed Sacrament school and church for over 50 years. She volunteered at Abrazar Senior Citizen Center serving meals to the needy for which she received many awards. She served on the City of Westminster voting and polling committees. She was honored by many city officials for her dedication. She was a very humble and selfless woman who thought others deserved recognition more than her.
One of Mom's favorite hobbies was tending to her hundreds of cactus and succulent plants. This was her passion. She was well known as the cactus lady. She grew and cultivated in abundance so she could donate to church auxiliaries and other functions.
Mom loved to travel the U.S, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Her most unusual travel destination was to the Holy Land of Israel where she unknowingly signed up for a Spanish speaking tour, NO English at all. She missed out on a lot of information.
Mom wrote of her travels in her journals and letters which were always a joy to read. She loved and enjoyed her grandkids and spent much time with them. To the end her eyes would light up to see them.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Lynn in 1970. She married John Johnson (deceased) in 1979.
Cecilia spent her last years at the Sundial Assisted Living in Redding, California near her children and grandchildren.
Cecilia was an incredible lady and she will be greatly missed.