Evelyn Cecelia Gustafson

Evelyn Cecelia Gustafson, 87, of Grand Island, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 A.M Thursday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The Reverend Bill Pavuk will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Burial will be at 3:00 P.M. Friday at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to the Family to be designated at a later date. Evelyn was born on July 17, 1925 to Emil and Ida (Grienke) Rydstrom in Aurelia, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. She graduated from Aurelia Consolidated School in 1943. She was united in marriage to Mervin Gustafson on October 4, 1947 in Alta, Iowa. Having been a member of several Lutheran Churches, she was active in Ladies groups, Bible Studies, Altar Guild, Quilting, and doing volunteer work. She was a volunteer for Golden Living Park Place, where she was loved and will be missed by all who knew her. She devoted her time to her family and church. She enjoyed gathering with friends and family in the backyard for parties. Survivors include her husband, Mervin; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Jan Gustafson of Clear Lake, Iowa, Tim and Renee Gustafson of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter, Pamela Brando of Grand Island; one nephew, David Lydell and his wife, Darlene of Alta, Iowa; 5 grandchildren and their spouses, Tara and Jeff Smith, Amy and Jason Shaffer, Daniel and Karisa Gustafson, Joel and Lindsay Gustafson, and Seth Gustafson.; and 13 great-grandchildren. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Roy Lydell.