James M. Gustafson

Click here to view the memorial video.James M. Gustafson, 90, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska. A funeral service for Jim will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield; Pastor Jerome Cloninger will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Bressler ~ Munderloh Funeral Home in Wakefield. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening. Burial with military honors will be in the Wakefield Cemetery. Military honors by Wakefield American Legion Post #81. Jim was born on the family farm near Wakefield, Nebraska, the son of Milton and Esther (Borg) Gustafson on February 3, 1919. He attended school and graduated from Wakefield High School. Soon after graduation, Jim entered the United States Army where he served in the Pacific Theater. On June 6, 1943, Jim married Emily Grosc at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield. To this union six children were born. Jim was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. He was one of the original owners of the Wakefield Bowling Alley, and was active in 4-H and other farming organizations. He had a love for baseball and was named “Fan of the Year” in Wakefield. He also enjoyed watching game shows and reading the paper. Most of all Jim loved his family. He cherished the time he spent with his kids and grandkids. Jim is survived by his wife Emily of Wakefield, a son Robert and wife Deb of Wakefield, Judy and husband David Boggs of Omaha, Ruth and husband Kevin Peters of Wakefield, Kathy and husband Pat Webb of Lawrence, Kansas and Kay Gustafson of Elkhorn. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Amanda and Jill Gustafson, Cory, Andrew and Anthony Gustafson, Tyler Peters and Lana Steuck, Brittany, Nicole and Taylor Peters, Michael Boggs and Lexi Taylor and Jamie and Randy Stribley and Cassie Boggs, seven great-grandchildren, sisters: Jean Fischer, Marion Keagle and Vivian Muller of Wakefield, sister-in-laws: Peggy Gustafson, Wilma Gustafson and Glee Gustafson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Roy, his brothers: Morris, Marlow and Kenneth and a sister Joyce Bowman.