Mervin "Merv" Edward Gustafson

Mervin Merv Edward Gustafson, 88 of Grand Island, died Thursday, September 3, 2015 at CHI Health St. Francis, Grand Island, NE.



Services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island followed by a luncheon. Burial will be 3:00 P.M. Thursday, September 10, 2015 in the Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta, Iowa. Visitation hours will be from 4-7 P.M. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Mervin E. Gustafson was born on the family farm south of Alta, Iowa on June 8, 1927 the son of Edward & Astrid (Johnson) Gustafson. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Alta, Iowa. He graduated from Alta Consolidated School, Alta, Iowa.



He entered the United States Navy April 12, 1945 serving during World War II, receiving his honorable discharged July 19, 1946. Using his GI Bill, he took flying lessons and received his solo pilot license. He had aspirations of becoming a commercial pilot.



Mervin was united in marriage to Evelyn Rydstrom, October 4, 1947 in Alta, Iowa. The couple made their home southwest of Alta, Iowa where he farmed until going into sales work in 1957. He was associated with Quaker Oats Company, Aid Association for Lutherans, Atlantic-Richfield Company, Moorman Feed Co and later Mokan Manufacturing Company. After retiring from sales work he and Evelyn moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa where he was a Maintenance Supervisor of Camp Okoboji and later Homestead Housing. He was a self employed handyman and his last employment was with Lakes Plumbing in Spirit Lake, Iowa.



His faith in Jesus was central to his life. He was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Grand Island and other Lutheran Churches where he volunteered for positions of Secretary, Trustee, Elder and Head usher. He also spent many hours volunteering at Golden Living Park Place in Grand Island where he was loved for his kindness and pleasant nature.



Over his lifetime, Merv enjoyed hunting and fishing, growing roses and other flowers, singing and listening to music, traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, watching football especially the Iowa Hawks and later the Nebraska Huskers.



Those left to cherish his memory include two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry & Jan Gustafson of Clear Lake, Iowa, Tim and Renee Gustafson of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Pamela Brando of Grand Island; five grandchildren and their spouses, Tara and Jeff Smith, Amy and Jason Shaffer, Daniel and Karisa Gustafson, Joel and Lindsay Gustafson, and Seth Gustafson; 14 great grandchildren; nieces & nephews; and a host of friends.



Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Evelyn Gustafson; one brother and one sister.



Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com