Leon
R. (Pete) Gustafson, 93, of Grand Island, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at
Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island. Military graveside services will be
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. in Stromsburg Cemetery. Stromsburg American
Legion Post #132 will be conducting the military rites. Reverend Paul Blanchard
will be officiating. There will be no visitation. Wagner Funeral Home in Central
City is assisting the family with the arrangements. Leon was born on July 17, 1916 in Kansas City, Missouri to Emil and Nellie (Johnson) Gustafson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Stromsburg, Nebraska. He received his education in the public schools and graduated in 1932 from Stromsburg High School.
He was united in marriage to Elna M. (Nan) Larson 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. He was sent to the states of Texas, Florida and South Dakota for training. He then served as a Radio Operator Gunner on B-17 Heavy Bombers in the European Theatre of Operation in World War Two. His service was June 8, 1943 to March 17, 1946 with the 305th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. After the war ended he and Elna made their home in Central City where Leon worked as a parts man for the Massey Harris Dealership. In 1956, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska. Leon worked as a power plant operator for the city until he retired.
Leon was a life member of the VFW, member of the American Legion, the 305th Bombardment Group Association, The F.O.E. and the Platt Duetsche.
The couple made their home on West John until they could no longer live alone. They moved to Tiffany Square Car home in March of 2007. His wife, Elna, died January 18, 2009. They had been married for 70 years.
Survivors include 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.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elna, two infant sons, and a brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Jesse Johnson.
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.
