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A Time for Angels to be held Sunday

Event remembers those who have died in the past year

-Messenger file photo
Mark Mettler, funeral director at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, looks over one of the 20 angel ornaments decorating the Christmas tree at Gunderson Funeral Home before the 2018 Time For Angels event.

Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services will host its 21st annual A Time for Angels service of remembrance on Sunday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 239 N. 11th St.

The service will begin at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The purpose of the service is to remember loved ones lost over the past year.

“We here at Gunderson’s, we realize the need for a community service of remembrance so that it’s open to the public for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one this year,” said Keely Gunderson. “And anyone that has experienced a loss, whether they’ve come to our funeral home or any funeral home, they’re welcome to come.”

The names of lost loved ones will be read aloud during the service and the families will receive a handmade angel ornament keepsake.

“We’re pleased to provide an opportunity to gather together to share a common grief and to find hope and healing during this difficult time of year,” Gunderson said.

Families can call the funeral home at 515-576-7128 to share the name of a lost loved one to be included in the program. Families can also share those names at the door when arriving to the event on Sunday, Gunderson said.

The program will feature two local speakers, Monsignor Kevin McCoy, of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, and the Rev. Dan Kahl, of Grace Lutheran Church.

Refreshments will be served following the service, Gunderson said.

Each family will receive one angel keepsake, made by Chris Jondle, and extra angels will be available for purchase for $15, Gunderson said.

“A lot of people come every year because they want to get an angel for that year,” she said. “Each year, the angels are a different color and a little different style.”

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