M. Emily Gustafson

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO TRIBUTE.Marie Emily Gustafson, 88, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, Nebraska. The funeral service for Emily will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield; Pastor Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Bressler ~ Munderloh Funeral Home in Wakefield. The family will be present from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening. Burial will be in the Wakefield Cemetery.Emily was born on October 18, 1921 in Scribner, Nebraska the daughter of Walter and Katherine (Havekost) Grosc. On the day Emily was born she was baptized. As a young child, Emily and her family moved from Scribner to Wakefield. She was confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield. Emily graduated from Wakefield High School, and attended Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska, where she earned her teaching certification. On June 6, 1943, Emily was married to James Gustafson at Salem Lutheran Church. To this union six children were born. After their marriage, Emily and Jim lived in Kansas and Georgia while Jim was in the Army. After leaving the military, Jim and Emily moved back to Wakefield, where they farmed together. They moved into Wakefield in 1984. Emily was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served in many offices. She also served as a 4-H leader. Emily was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church, where she was involved in circle groups and the ladies aid. She was also a member of the Neighborhood Club. Emily and Jim attended many school and sporting events for both their children and grandchildren. Jim died on April 27, 2009. Emily was an avid reader and enjoyed flower gardening. She believed in the inherent good of everyone. She lived her life by the motto “Trust in the Lord, and love your neighbor.”Emily is survived by her children: Kay Gustafson of Elkhorn, Robert and wife Deb Gustafson of Wakefield, Ruth and husband Kevin Peters of Wakefield, Judy and husband David Boggs of Omaha, Kathy and husband Pat Webb of Lawrence, Kansas. She 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 and Lexi Boggs, Taylor and Jamie and Randy Stribley and Cassie Boggs, seven great-grandchildren, a sister Anona Meyer of Fremont, Nebraska; sister-in-laws: Jean Fischer, Peggy Gustafson, Wilma Gustafson, Glee Gustafson, Marian Keagle and Maija Grosc.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, and a son Roy.