Obituary of Wayne Gustafson

Wayne Leslie Gustafson ~ July 30, 1929 - December 24, 2024

Wayne Leslie Gustafson, age 95, passed away on December 24, 2024 at Golden Horizons in Sandstone, MN. Wayne was born on July 30, 1929, in Del Grove Township to Walter and Amy Gustafson.

Wayne attended eight years of schooling at the Del Grove school. He began working when he was still a boy, helping out with farm work, etc. When he was about 14 or 15, he began working at the Sandstone creamery. He bought a milk route and a ‘36 Ford truck from Lennard and Mildred Westin. After about a year, he was stopped for a noisy exhaust system and finding he was not old enough to have a chauffeur’s license, he had to give up ‘trucking’ (for the time-being!)

He married Lenore Westin September 1949. The years that followed included jobs such as: Lineman for a utility company; TV repair; farmer; owner of a gas station; substitute letter carrier; fire warden; township road maintenance; and excavation business. Wayne bought a semi-truck after the excavation business ended and drove truck for about 12 years. Due to Lenore’s failing health, he gave up trucking to stay closer to home. He worked as a custodian/bus driver for the Finlayson schools, and after Lenore’s death in 1991, he retired (?) and bought a back-hoe!

Wayne married Mildred (Korpi) Westin in 1991 and became the step-father of her four sons. They were married for 28 years until Mildred went to be with the Lord in March of 2019, after which he moved back to the Finlayson area. Wayne spent his last couple of years at the Golden Horizons facility in Sandstone where he received excellent care until his home-going on early Christmas Eve morning.

Wayne always had a smile for everyone and always portrayed a positive attitude. He loved the Lord and was a living testimony to his family and those around him. He enjoyed reading his Bible and had a special interest in studying Prophecy. People, in general, were drawn to his gentle spirit and enjoyed being in his presence.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Amy Gustafson; his first wife, Lenore; his second wife, Mildred; an infant son; his daughter, Donna; his brothers Lawrence, Albert, William, Harold and Stanley; his sisters Dorothy; Ruth; Agnes; Elaine and June. He is survived by his daughter, Lezlie (Duane) Sundeen; Son-in-law, Dean Carroll; step-sons Ken, Larry (Judy), Arlen (Deanna) and Darrell Westin; his brother Willard (Nancy); sisters Louise Nystrom and Karen (Larry) Helwig; his seven grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces and great grand-children.