Elna
M. (Nan) Gustafson, 89, of Grand Island, died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at
Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island. Graveside services will be
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in Stromsburg Cemetery in
Stromsburg. Reverend Paul Blanchard will be officiating. There will be no
visitation. Wagner Funeral Home in Central City is in charge of the
arrangements.
Elna Matilda (Nan) Larson was born on March 11, 1919 in Swede Home near Stromsburg, Nebraska. She was the last of eleven children born to Lars Johan and Brita Charlotta (Rubenius) Larson. Elna was the only sibling to be born in America. The other ten children were born in Ockelbo, Sweden. She attended Swede Home Church and received her education in Polk County Schools for a time, and then remained at home to care for her ailing mother and to keep house for the family.
She was united in marriage to Leon Robert (Pete) Gustafson on August 22, 1938 in Sidney, Nebraska. The couple lived in Stromsburg, and then moved to Chicago, IL. While living there, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and Leon enlisted in the Army Air Corp. When Elna could, she went with him while he was training. This included the states of Texas, Florida and South Dakota. When Leon went overseas, Elna stayed on the farm with her sister, Hildur Willhoft and family in Central City, NE. When Leon was discharged from the service in 1946 the couple made their home in Central City, NE, and Elna was employed at the Spence Shop. In 1956, they moved to Grand Island, NE. She worked at Lake View Care Home for eighteen years. The couple lived on West John until she and her husband moved to Tiffany Square Care Center.
Elna was a loving wife not blessed by children. The couple had two infant sons who did not survive birth. She was always smiling and happy in life.
Survivors include her husband, Leon Gustafson of Grand Island, NE, a nephew, Jerry Willhoft and his wife Shirley of Central City, NE, a niece, Ramona Bock and her husband Jud of Honey Creek, IA, and many other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons, six sisters, Hannah Carlson, Lidia Carlson, Walla Dahlgren, Ida Malm, Signe Anderson and Hildur Willhoft, and four brothers, Godfred, Emil, Olaf and Alan.
Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 639, Alliance, NE 69301. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com.
Pallbearers:
Laurie Leonardo, Cindy Warren, Jay Willhoft, Joel Willhoft, Jud Bock Jr., Jerry Bock and James Willhoft.
Honorary Pallbearers:
Jerry Willhoft and Jud Bock
