Nelly Gundrum

Nelly Gundrum, 94, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family Thursday November 5 at 5:30 AM. Nelly is the daughter of Karl and Antonia Kaneider of Innsbruck Austria. Nelly was born July 13, 1926 in Reid Austria. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Mutters Austria where her father Karl was chief of Police. Nelly had five sisters. Paula, Herta, Elsa, Helma and Inge. She lost her mother in a bicycle accident when she was 16. A year later she lost her sister Helma, due to a hiking accident in the Alps.

Nelly met George Gundrum in 1950 in Mutters Austria while George was living in Mutters and attending Medical School in Innsbruck. They met on the Mutters/Innsbruck commuter train. Her friends warned Nelly not to associate herself with a “displaced” person-he was not a Tirolean. But George’s charm and gentle nature won Nelly and her friends over quickly. They married in 1952 in the Basilica church in Innsbruck. George and Nelly immigrated to America in 1956 arriving in Ellis Island, then Louisville, KY, then Dixon, IL and Nauvoo, IL, before residing in Burlington, Iowa in 1965.

Nelly was a homemaker and worked part-time as a bookkeeper for George’s medical practice. She was an avid supporter of the Arts attending Southeast Iowa Symphony and Burlington Civic Music. For many years Nelly and George traveled to Chicago to attend the Lyric Opera. She was a member of the Kings Daughters, Burlington Fine Arts League, Burlington Golf Club, and Burlington Hospital Auxiliary. Her love for travel brought her back to her homeland of Austria every year to visit family and friends. For over 40 years, winters were spent downhill and cross- country skiing at many Colorado resorts.

Nelly enjoyed the outdoors hiking, swimming and in her 50’s took up the game of tennis. She was a member of the Great River Wellness Plaza and kept a strict exercise regime. Her fitness and active lifestyle prolonged her life substantially. She was well known in the community for her Austrian cooking and baking. She donated many dinner parties to various organizations in the community. One year her Austrian dinner went for $7000. She also enjoyed baking her infamous specialty Christmas cookies and every year would have coffees over the holidays.

Nelly is survived by her husband, George, son Werner (Rosi) Gundrum of Innsbruck Austria, daughters, Barbara Carroll, Annelisa Grant and Monika (Rick) Coursey of Burlington, Iowa. Grandchildren, Stephen (Lou) Gundrum, Bettina (Daniel)Sorg of Innsbruck, Austria, Michael (Claudia) Gundrum of Guadalahara MX, Paulina (Ben)Colton, Overland Park KS and George (Anna) Coursey of Indianapolis IN. Great grandchildren, Meo and Linnea Gundrum, Toby and Lara Sorg, and Rosa and Maria Gundrum. Nelly is also survived by one sister, Inge of Innsbruck Austria and special niece, Hannelora (Jim) Moffitt of Nauvoo IL and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving Nelly are special and longtime friends, Anni Jakobi, Kewanee IL, Herta Dech, Roothouse IL, Irene Baumert, Burlington Iowa and Otto Trousil of West Burlington Iowa

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for Dr. George and Nelly Gundrum will be 10:30 AM Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Celebrant. The church will be open after 9:30 AM to pay respect and listen to their favorite music. Private family burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery following the Mass. 

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Kings Daughters, Burlington Notre Dame and Great River Hospice. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.