Dennis E. Gustafson

MEMORIAL SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Kiron, IowaPRIVATE FAMILY INURNMENT: Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, IowaNO VISITATION Dennis E. Gustafson was born in the farm house built by his great-grandfather in Wheeler Township, Sac County, northeast of Kiron, Iowa, December 18, 1935, the son of Ernest Emil and Mabel Elizabeth Clauson Gustafson. The family resided in Wheeler Township until moving to the present Gustafson farm in Stockholm Township in 1943. He received his elementary education in the Kiron Public School, Wheeler Township #5 and Stockholm Township #4 rural schools before graduation from the Kiron High School with the class of 1954. While in high school he lettered in both basketball and baseball all four years and was active in school plays for three years. From 1958 until 1964 he served in the National Guard. On September 2, 1961, Dennis was united in marriage with Irma J. Geissinger at Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed with five children: Alan, John, Bruce, Anita and Brian. They made their home on the Gustafson family farm in Stockholm Township. In addition to his farming career, Dennis owned Quality Seeds for a few years, spoke to Farmer Groups all over the United States and led many travel groups throughout the country. One of his favorite quotes was he had visited all 50 states. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Kiron, Iowa, where he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School, taking the boys of his class on many trips throughout the country. He enjoyed spending time with his family, was a devoted Chicago Cub fan, loved to fish and was a jokester pulling pranks on family and friends. After suffering a severe stroke, Dennis entered the Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center in Odebolt, Iowa, in December of 2002 where he had since resided. Dennis died Sunday morning, April 19, 2015, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 79 years, 4 months and 1day. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Mabel Gustafson. Those remaining to cherish his memoryinclude his wife, Irma J. Gustafson of Odebolt, Iowa; five children: Alan Gustafson and wife Debra of Kiron, Iowa, John Gustafson and wife Leslie of Kiron, Iowa, Bruce Gustafson of Thousand Oaks, California, Anita and husband Kevin Larson of Denison, Iowa, and Brian Gustafson and wife Kristin of Adel, Iowa; 12 grandchildren: Jeffrey, Hannah, Lydia, Raelyn, Abbie, Kimberly, Aaron, Cierra, Aaric, Clayton, Brady, and Amanda; one great grandson, Kysen; one brother, Glenn Gustafson of Thousand Oaks, California; two sisters: Nancy and husband Dale Swan of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Nelda Ann Gustafson of Minnetonka, Minnesota; one aunt, Lila Gustafson of Ruthven, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015, at the First Baptist Church, Kiron, Iowa, with Pastor Bruce Kaihoi officiating. Music for the service was provided by Gayle Johnson singing “In the Garden” and the congregation singing “Victory In Jesus” with Mrs. John W. Larson serving as pianist. A special instrumental selection of “Day By Day” was provided by grandsons Jeffrey Gustafson playing trumpet and Aaron Larson playing guitar. A private family inurnment was held at the Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, Iowa, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015. Following the memorial service all were invited to remain at the church and join the family for fellowship and a meal catered by Hy-Vee with desserts and serving assistance provided by the First Baptist Social Committee. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.