VERNAL SULLIVAN GUSTAFSON 1907 – 1998

GUSTAFSON, LUNDBERG, ANDERSON, COLTRAIN, CARLSON, JOHNSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2024 at 18:44:20

Vernal Sullivan Gustafson was born July 9, 1907, on the farm located in Stockholm Township northeast of Kiron, Iowa, the son of the late Carl and Amanda Lundberg Gustafson. He attended school in Kiron and then farmed all of his life until his retirement.

On August 24, 1955, Vernal was united in marriage with Emma Anderson, daughter of Elwood and Edith Anderson of Boyer, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home on the farm and their union was blessed with three children, Marilyn, Norman and Gwen. Vernal was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kiron and served as an usher, there for a number of years. Besides farming, Vernal enjoyed art, nature, geography and people.

Early in June his health began to fail and on Sunday, July 12, 1998, Vernal died at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had attained the age of 91 years and 3 days.

Including his parents, Vernal was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Christina Coltrain, one brother, Ernest Gustafson, and three sisters, Laverne Gustafson, Mayme Carlson and Florence Johnson.

Those who remain to cherish his memory include his wife of nearly 43 years, Emma Gustafson of Kiron, three children, Marilyn and husband, Fred Coltrain and their children, Jesse and Claudia of Denison, Norman Gustafson and wife, Stephanie of Kansas City, Missouri and Gwen Gustafson of Kiron, one brother, Willard Gustafson and wife, Lila of Kiron, two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Johnson of Pomeroy, Iowa and Carroll Anderson of Superior, Wisconsin, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 25, 1998 at the First Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa with the Rev. Larry W. Odle officiating. Music for the service included Nancy Swan singing, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow", congregational hymns of "Children Of The Heavenly Father", "Day By Day" and "'How Great Thou Art" and a recording of "Softly And Tenderly". Mrs. John W. Larson served as organist. Casket bearers included Gerald Carlson, Alan Gustafson, Dennis Gustafson, 'John Gustafson, Marc Gustafson and Gayle Johnson. Interment was in the Kiron Cemetery at Kiron

The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where a visitation was held after 3:00 P.M.; Tuesday July 14, 1998 with the family greeting friends from 6 until 8 p.m.

From Glenn Gustafson