Willard Gustafson

Willard O. Gustafson was born September 21, 1912 to Carl and Amanda Lundberg Gustafson on the homestead located northeast of Kiron, Iowa. He attended the Kiron Public School after which he went into farming. On September 2, 1955, Willard was united in marriage to Lila Clauson, daughter of Clarence and Bessie Bruce Clauson. They were married in a double wedding ceremony with Lila’s brother, Gordon Clauson and Nora Kennedy at the Kiron Baptist Church. Their family was complete with the arrival of a son, Marc Elliott, and a daughter, Mary Jo. Willard was baptized December 4, 1932, by the Rev. Gordon Carlson and joined the Kiron Baptist Church where he served as an usher for many years. He learned to speak the Swedish language at an early age and later taught his children a Swedish prayer. Willard enjoyed sports and excelled in basketball and horseshoe. He had a love for horses and mules and spent many hours grooming them. They enjoyed traveling, visiting 48 of the 50 states plus Canada. After retiring from farming, they moved to Kiron after living on the Clauson century farm for forty-three years. Willard passed away November 17, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Home in Manson, Iowa. At the time of his death he had attained the age of 98 years, 1 month, and 26 days. He enjoyed being with his family and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Including his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Ernest and Vernal, and three sisters: Mayme Carlson, Florence Johnson, and Laverne Gustafson. Those who remain to cherish his memory include his wife of 55 years, Lila Gustafson of Manson, Iowa; two children: Marc Gustafson of Spencer, Iowa, and Mary Jo Litwiller and husband James and two grandsons: Brandon and Derek Litwiller, all of Laurens, Iowa, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 20, 2010, at First Baptist Church, Kiron, Iowa, with Pastor Bruce Kaihoi officiating. Music for the service was provided by Nancy Swan singing “Until Then” with Nelda Gustafson serving as accompanist and the congregation singing “Blessed Assurance” with Mrs. John W. Larson serving as pianist. Honorary pallbearers included Dennis and Irma Gustafson, Richard and Bessie Gilmore, Bill and Vannie Webster and Bob and Nancy Brown. Those serving as pallbearers were Gayle Johnson, Norman Gustafson, Alan Gustafson, John Gustafson, Mike Clauson and Dale Swan. Interment was at the Kiron Cemetery, Kiron, Iowa. Following the interment everyone was invited to return to the church for fellowship and a luncheon served by the Kiron Baptist Social Committee. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.