Sons of Isacc Gudmundsen

Jacob Gudmund Gudmundsen 1885 – 1886

Irel Joseph Gudmundsen (1887 – 1961) We find a great biography for Irel Joseph Gudmundsen in History of Idaho, Gem of the Mountains, 1920, vol. 2 and related through Idaho Genealogy Trails.

Irel was born in Lehi, Utah before the family relocated to the Iona area north of Idaho Falls. Active in the family business ventures, Irel became an important partner as manager in the Gudmundsen department store, Gudmundsen & Sons, in Burley.

Prior to achieving this level of distinction he studied at BYU in Provo, Utah and fulfilled a mission for the LDS Church in the Swiss German mission from 1908 to 1910. [I have also seen this referred to as Swiss French Mission].

Irel married first, in Salt Lake City, Elsie Jane Taylor (1890 – 1935) and together tthey gained prominence in the southern Idaho region around Burley. They were active in civic affairs and this activity progressed in to leaving the family business and entering “commission work” through real estate and investments, he was especially known with oil lease/development lands.

Irel and Elsie had four children, the eldest died by drowning in his 20s and the next two, young men, served overseas in WWII, the elder, Max serving as a medical officer and the younger, Dick being shot down over Belgium. The fourth child, a daughter Luasanne.

Irel served on the Burley City council as streets committee chair. In the fall of 1918 Irel was elected to the Idaho State Legislature, where he served as chairman of the Railroad and Corporations committee.

After Elsie’s death Irel married in Wyoming, her sister Althea Taylor Smith (1896-1976). They are buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Idaho.