Bundgaard, Axel C. An educator, coach, author and dancer. Axel Christensen Bundgaard, age 93, died peacefully at his home in Burnsville on April 14, 2011. He was born in Greenfield, Ohio to Lauritz and Anna (Jensen) Bundgaard on December 13, 1917, the oldest of five children. Axel is survived by his wife, Ann Wagner; his children, Elizabeth (Gary) Wicks, Eric (Denise), Chris, and Mark, and their mother, Margaret Vanderkolk; grandchildren, Jennifer Wicks (George) McNamara, Anne Wicks, Andrew (Anna) Wicks, Trygve (Charlotte) Bundgaard, Tycen (Shan) Bundgaard, and 3 great-grandchildren. His youngest brother, Victor (Sandy) also survives him. The first-born son of a Danish Lutheran pastor, Axel graduated from Midland Lutheran College in 1939 and taught and coached in several small Nebraska high schools until he enlisted in the Navy in June 1942. He and Margaret Prest were married in October 1943. Axel served in the Pacific in WWII. After earning an MA from the University of MI, he taught and was head basketball coach at Wartburg College until 1961. Axel completed his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1958. In 1961, he became Athletic Director at South Dakota State University and in 1965 he moved to St. Olaf College, retiring in 1986. During this time, Axel and Ann Wagner were married, and were instrumental in starting the St. Olaf Dance Department. Axel’s ballroom dance classes were legendary. Retirement brought travel, research, and publication of his book in 2005. Friends are encouraged to greet the family on Tuesday, April 19th, at 11 a.m. in Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 50th and Knox in Minneapolis. The funeral service will follow at noon in the main sanctuary. Private interment at Ft. Snelling follows immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Olaf College, Wagner-Bundgaard scholarship.