Jeffrey “Jeff” Michael Gunsch passed away from natural causes at his home in Plano, TX on July 9, 2019. He was 54.

Jeff’s life began on February 10, 1965 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, ND. He was born the youngest of three boys to Leonhardt Maurice Gunsch (a professor of Physical Sciences at Valley City State College), and Leona Frances (Stroh) Gunsch (a former elementary school teacher).

Jeff attended St. Catherine’s Elementary School through 9th grade and went on to graduate from Valley City High School in 1983. Following graduation, he attended Valley City State College for a short time, and held various jobs in Valley City and Fargo, ND including at Hardees, later Burger King, in Valley City from 1991 to 1999, where he eventually held the position of assistant manager.

In 1999, Jeff married Tonya Hobart of Valley City and the couple moved to Plano, TX. They were divorced in 2008 but remained on friendly terms.

In Plano, Jeff worked for AT&T in the customer service center from 2001 to 2017. In 2014, Jeff obtained a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from South University. Getting a degree had been a life-long goal that he was particularly proud of.

Jeff loved dogs and cared for two dachshunds prior to their passing away three years ago. He also enjoyed working with electronics/computers and was an avid fan of Star Wars and Star Trek.

Jeff is preceded in death by his father, Leonhardt Maurice Gunsch. He is survived by his mother, Leona, of Cooperstown, ND; brother Mark (Carol Ann) and niece Rachel of Salisbury, NC; and brother Paul (Barbara Dallavalle) and nephews Andrew and Benjamin of Rochester, MN.

Jeff’s story was marked by a deep sense of honesty and integrity, and an unfaltering eagerness to help others. He will be dearly missed and forever loved.

A funeral mass for Jeff will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2019 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City at 10:30 AM.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 PM in the Lerud-Mathias Funeral Home Chapel.

Arrangements are being made by Lerud-Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City.