Elmer J. Gustafson, 98, Dickinson, died Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Elmer’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2009 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Steven Tangen officiating. Interment will follow at Taylor Cemetery, Taylor. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Monday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Elmer was born October 1, 1911 at Marshall, the son of John and Martha (Harnden) Gustafson. He was raised and educated in the Marshall area.
Elmer married Ruth Olefson in 1930 and they ranched together in the Medora area. Following the birth of their third child, Ruth died in 1935. Elmer married Laura Fuchs on December 30, 1939, and they lived and ranched in the Marshall area and then in the Almont area. In the mid 1960’s the Gustafsons moved to Dickinson and Elmer went to work in the oil fields, a career that lasted the next 20 years, retiring at the age of 75.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, working in the garden and playing cards.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Laura; seven children, Jackie Walker, Bismarck, Patty (Bud) Olson, Dickinson, Sharon Anner, Colorado Springs, Colo., Roger Gustafson, Dickinson, Judy Handegard, Almont, Nancy (Dave) Dvorak, West Fargo, and Candy (Stu) Olson, Phoenix, Ariz.; sons-in-law, Gene Peterson, Almont and Buck Zempel, Fort Lincoln; 31 grandchildren; and numerous great and great, great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; his parents; four children, Bruce, Donald, Bonnie and Ginger; sons-in-law, Jack Walker, DuWayne Anner and Idar Handegard; daughter-in-law, Suzanne Gustafson; two sisters, Frances and Ina; and his brother, Alfred.
