David Eldon Gustafson

Visitation for David Gustafson, age 85, of Milaca, will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd from 1 -3 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. A time of sharing memories will begin at 2:30 PM. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca with military honors provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post #10794. Dave was born on Sept. 29, 1928 to Adolph and Mary Gustafson in a farmhouse north of Milaca. He spent his youth helping on the farm and finding mischief until he entered the Army in 1946. He swept his wife, Eva (Stewart), off her feet in Oct. of '49 and convinced her to marry him just two months later. Their son, Gary, was born in Sept. 1950 followed by Dean in 1952 and a daughter, Diane was born and died in 1953. As a young family they spent their early years in Indiana but they returned to Milaca to care for his parents and finish raising his boys in the very house he grew up in. Dave worked at a variety of local businesses including Lyle's grocery store as a butcher. He took pride in being a reliable, hard working man. Being on time was of utmost importance. As a matter of fact, if you weren't 10 minutes early - you were late in Dave's book. He also would never ask anyone to do anything that he wasn't willing to do himself. If he wasn't at work you could find Dave fishing at the Rum River and at various lakes in his 14" Alumacraft or meticulously caring for his large garden. Besides his dogs, it was his pride and joy. Several times, he entered his vegetables in the county fair, fall was filled with pickling, canning and freezing. Dave's kitchen table was the gathering place for family and friends. It was here that stories were shared, laughter flowed freely and occasional tears were comforted. His door and his heart were always open and the coffee always on. Dave would describe himself was a stubborn old Swede who was as plain as an old shoe. To those who knew him, he was kind and loyal. He loved his family, his old farmhouse, Dolly Parton, nature and one can never think of Dave without mentioning his dogs. He adored his boxers, each and every one. Dave passed away in the early hours July 19, 2014 in the very house he was born in, this was his wish. Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Eva, daughter, Diane, son, Gary and a brother, Harold. He leaves behind his son, Dean, granddaughters, Julie (John), Tami (Jim), Kelly (Donnie), Elizabeth (Peter), 11 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren (all who will miss grandpa's candy dish in the fridge), his sister, Irene (Leroy) Ekberg, many nieces and nephews and his adopted swede, Linda Krotzer. Not to mention all of the wonderful friends and caregivers who became family over the many years.