Bunny and Ossie Gundersen (2000)
Because of their quiet and modest manner, a newcomer might mistake Bunny and Ossie to be just a happy couple who have lived in Greenville most of their lives. Their modesty does not truly attest to their accomplishments.
Ossie Oswald was born in 1918 on Staten Island. In 1938, he came to live with his brother-in-law and sister, Tom and Goodie Salvesen, who ran a boarding house and farm just north of Greenville Center’s four corners.
Bunny was born Lola Ida Tallman in 1920 on the site that was known as Breezy Knoll, and now exists as a Buddhist temple on Rt. 81 between Ingalside Road and Maple Avenue. Her family moved to the Mary Talmadge place (currently, the Evans Griffin house) on Rt. 81 in the late 1920s when her father started his well drilling business.
Bunny graduated from GCS in 1940 and went to work for Mrs. Tanner as a telephone operator where she worked until 1949 when the office closed.
Ossie and Bunny don’t remember how they met but he recalls liking her voice on the telephone. They would often go to the Livingstonville square dances on Saturday nights with her friends as well as skating on the Greenville pond in the winter.
They were married in the Methodist Church parsonage in Greenville on January 26, 1945 on a very snowy day. Later that year, they purchased the Annie Coonley place on East Red Mill Road and had a dairy farm there until 1980 when they sold the farm to the Weeks family.
In addition to farming, Ossie worked as a substitute rural mail carrier from 1962, then as a postal clerk in the Greenville office from 1964 until his 1984 retirement. Bunny worked in the GCS cafeteria from 1955 until her retirement in 1975. She also drove a small school bus to Cairo and Rensselaerville
Ossie and Bunny have a daughter Joan who lives and works in Kingston, as well as a son Roy who married the former Diane Andresen. They have two children, Gina and Eric. Roy lives locally, having managed Roy’s Roundtable. Ossie and Bunny enjoy attending the Rhinebeck Fair. In their retirement, the Gundersens enjoy meeting their friends and having lunch at their favorite restaurant in Norton Hill.
However, they GLHG recognizes Ossie and Bunny Gunderson for another side of their life. They are recognized as two of the most giving, selfless volunteers in the area. Bunny was the chairwoman for the Greenville Old-Timers Christmas party for 31 years, and Ossie was her right hand. (This party, first initiated by Arnold Nicholson in 1960, is still held.) In 1995 they were presented with a plaque commemorating her many years of service. Bunny was also a 4-H leader for the Greenville Gremlins, teaching the older scouts how to make Norwegian cookies. In addition, the garden club was well served and represented by Bunny’s efforts.
Before the establishment of Meals on Wheels (a program that delivers meals to the shut-in elderly), Bunny could often be seen carrying her basket filled with a cooking and baking to the home of a shot in. When Meals on Wheels did start, the Gunderson’s were two of the tireless volunteer drivers. Furthermore, they would volunteer to take people to the doctor when needed. Many can attest to their long list of good deeds done quietly.
This giving of themselves has made the fabric of Greenville’s life a kinder, gentler place. Ossie and Bunny’s years of service and volunteerism leads the Greenville Local History Group to recognize two people who not only represent the essence of our area, but also inspire us to contribute to our community.