William Unger

William "Bill" Unger, age 79, of Sauk Centre, died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Assumption Community in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 22 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Luke Steiner, OSB officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, February 21 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

William Henry Unger was born December 8, 1931 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Frederick and Louise (Borgmann) Unger. He was a graduate of Sauk Centre High School and the University of Notre Dame. Bill served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. On August 3, 1957 he married Mercedes "Dixie" Thyen at Resurrection Catholic Church in Minneapolis. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2007.Bill owned and operated Unger Furniture in Sauk Centre. He was the third generation of the Unger family to run the store which began in 1901. He enjoyed working with his customers and valued their relationships and their business. He retired from the furniture business in 2007 to focus on spending time with his family. He was a loving, dedicated father of five children and proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren. Bill loved spending time with his family in Sauk Centre and up north at Gull Lake. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's events. He happily attended their theatrical, musical, and sporting events. He always was there for his family. Bill also loved the outdoors, traveling and Notre Dame football.

Bill was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Bishop Busch Council 4863 Knights of Columbus, Sauk Centre Lions, and the Notre Dame Sorin Society. He was an Eagle Scout and active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Silver Beaver Award for his contributions. He served as the Chair of the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Heart Association. When he was at Notre Dame, he led a record-breaking blood drive on behalf of the University and the American Red Cross. He also earned the WCCO "Good Neighbor" Award.

Bill is survived by his children, Dr. Mary (John) Henderson of Eagan, Ann (Michael) Lindberg of St. Cloud, Dr. Kevin (Sandi) Unger of Willmar, Tom (Susan) Unger of St. Cloud, and Kelly (Tim) Dowse of Falls Church, Virginia; 13 grandchildren, Tom, Nick, and Joe Henderson, Ashley, Emily, and Kaitlin Lindberg, Ali, Jack, and Jimmy Unger, and Lauren, Natalie, Alyssa, and Will Unger; and sister, Geri Hird of San Diego, California.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie Unger on March 17, 2008; parents, Frederick and Louise Unger; and sisters, Janet Kuhlmann and Karen Destache.

Serving as casket bearers will be Dale Emmel, Don John, Dr. Mark Destache, Bill Destache, Wayne Voller, and Porter Hemingway.

Memorials may be given to the Poor Clares, Holy Family School in Sauk Centre, or the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank.