Larry (Butch) (Gus) Gustafson rested peaceably in the arms of Jesus Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Rainy Lake Medical Center only because he already rested on the promises of God. He endured a long struggle with end stage kidney disease and subsequent heart disease.
He was born in International Falls April 2, 1940, to Nels and Marion (Nelson) Gustafson; graduated from Falls High School Class of 1958; enlisted in the United States Air Force the same year. He was proud to serve his country as an Airman 1st Class E-4 and a member of the 509th Bomb Wing.
In 1964 he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy. They have resided 48 years on Rainy Lake, in the rock home built by his paternal grandfather, C.O. Gustafson, Contractor in 1917.
To that union was born son, Timothy Alan Gustafson, of Seattle, Wash., and Tami Jo (Gustafson) Casareto (Tony), International Falls.
Larry and Peggy have two beloved grandsons, Chad Richard Mastin of Wichita, Kan., and Joshua Lee Mastin of International Falls.
Larry graduated from Dunwoody Electrical Course (December 1967) and worked in Minneapolis for nearly five years. He moved back home in 1971 to work for Doty Electric; was a master and contractor electrician and served many in the area with his own Gustafson Electric business from 1983 to 1998. He worked for Kantor Electric and retired in 2005.
His “true love” was flying, being mentored by Francis Einarson. He had the distinction at the time he acquired his pilot’s license of being Minnesota’s youngest private pilot. Along with two close friends, he and his father, Nels, built an Aeronca Chief during his high school years. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for four years. In recent years he loved building model air craft and sharing the love of airplanes with his good friends Sanford and Diane Reim.
He was equally committed to fishing and swimming and loved his time spent with family and friends either on the water or in the water.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws (Frank and Ethel Holt) and leaves a brother, Alan Gustafson, whom he loves very much and his “coat of paint” Pug dog, his constant companion.
Larry’s body was committed to the earth at the Ray Cemetery Wednesday, Dec. 19, where it will await resurrection day. “But someone will say, ‘How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?’” The body…”is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;” 1 Corinthians 15:35 and 43b This is his hope.
We invite you to join us for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Evangelical Covenant Church.
In lieu of flowers, designated memorials will go to Rainy Lake Medical Center hospital campus in recognition of the tremendous care Larry received.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
