DONALD WILLIAM GUSTAFSON was born June 6, 1932, at Oakland, Nebraska, the second of four boys of Harry and Martha (Nelson) Gustafson. He passed away Monday, July 19, 2010, at the Oakland Mercy Hospital in Oakland, Nebraska, at the age of 78 years.

Don attended Oakland Public Schools through the tenth grade. He chose to drop out a year and help his father purchase and get started on their own farm. The following year he attended Lyons High School, graduating in 1950. Don continued to help his father farm following his graduation and played basketball for the Kelly Ryan Travelers.

Don proudly served with the 2nd Division Army Engineers in Korea. Upon returning home, he married Joyce Ann Muhle on June 26, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Walthill, Nebraska. They had four sons: Rick, Mike, Jim and Ron.

Don was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland, Robert Klase VFW Post No. 7998 in Lyons, and served on the Viles District No. 56 School Board and Lyons Baseball Association.

He found joy in his family and had a passion for his farm and raising cattle. He always said he felt closest to God in the fields and watching the miracle of birth during calving.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard Lee and Harold.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce of rural Lyons; his four sons and their families, Rick of North Liberty, Iowa, Mike and Cindy of Chesterfield, Missouri, Jim and Kristy, Ron and Julie all of Omaha;   eleven grandchildren, Nick (Shannon), J.D. (Ashley), Tiffany, Abby, Josh, Katie, Jake, Kellen, Isaac, Josiah and Hannah; brother and sisters-in-law, John and Roxanne Gustafson, and  Joan Gustafson all of Lincoln.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, July 22, 2010, 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland, Nebraska.
 
BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery with Military Honors by Robert Klase VFW Post No. 7998 and Harvey Lenig American Legion Post No. 83.

VISITATION: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 1 – 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from  5- 7  p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation Thursday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS: Evangelical Free Church in Oakland, Oakland Mercy Hospital and Hospice of Siouxland.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelanfuneralservices@hotmail.com