John Lewis Bungum, Sr.

John Lewis Bungum Sr., age 83 of St. Peter, passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2026.

Memorial Service is 11:00am Monday, July 20, 2026 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mankato with visitation at 10:00am. Burial will be at Woodlwan Cemetery, St. Peter. Memorials are preferred. To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

John Lewis was born December 17, 1942 in Hayfield, MN to G. Norman and Elsie (Throndson) Bungum. He graduated from Chatfield High School and enlisted in the US Army, serving in Vietnam. John continued his education at Luther College in Iowa where he received his bachelor degree; later attending Harvard and eventually achieving his PhD at Iowa State.

He was united in marriage to Lorna Jean Thiesen on August 13, 1977. His career took them to St. Peter in 1979, where he became a professor of economics at Gustavus Adolphus College until retiring in 2005. He then taught part time at Bethany College in Mankato. John also owned Bungum Realty in St. Peter; starting in 1988, and giving up his license in 2023. He was active in the church, was a member of the Sons of Norway, and the St. Peter Rotary Club. He enjoyed boating, reading, traveling, playing tennis, and watching all types of sports.

Left to remember John are his wife, Lorna; children: John (Cristal) Bungum II, and Bethany Jameson; grandchildren: Linnea Bungum, Kira Bungum, and Jaxson Jameson; siblings: Jan (Don) Blattie, and Peter Bungum; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.