Emeline Charlyn Gustafson

Emeline Charlyn (Schultz) Gustafson was born in Kiron, Iowa January 4, 1930, the daughter of Herman C. Schultz and Maria (Kroeger) Schultz. 

Emeline was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the sacrament of Holy Baptism in infancy at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kiron, Stockholm Township and confirmed there in her Christian faith.  As a young adult, Emeline went forward in response to an altar call and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the Evangelical Free Church of Kiron.

Emeline was raised in Kiron, attended elementary school through eighth grade and graduated from Kiron High School with the class of 1947.  On September 8, 1951, Emeline was united in marriage to Melvin E. Gustafson at the Evangelical Free Church in Kiron. Their union was blessed with three children: Rick, Joel, and Cindy. 

Emeline worked in several cafes in Kiron. Later, together with husband Melvin, operated Gustafson Sundries in Kiron. 

Emeline was active at the Evangelical Free Church with various positions in the Women’s Organization and as Sunday School pianist over a period of 35 years taking some time off to have three children. When the church disbanded, she and Melvin attended Bethel Lutheran Church in Kiron and became members in 1982. Emeline was in the Bethel Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA, serving and holding various positions on different committees. She served on the Altar Committee with Melvin, the Mutual Ministry Committee, a program committee and other groups including the Kitchen Committee.

Emeline loved spending time with her family and participating in community events. 

Besides her parents and husband Melvin, she was preceded in death by six sisters: Florence Wangler, Luella Dixon, Anna Carstensen, Viola Ruess, two sisters in infancy and son Joel Gustafson as well as many friends, nephews and nieces. 

Those who remain to cherish her memory are a son, Rick (Vicki) Gustafson, Ogden, daughter-in-law Kim Gustafson, Denison, a daughter Cindy (Tracy) Buck, Breda, and 10 grandchildren. Rick and Vicki’s children are Annika Parker, Mikael Gustafson, and Jacklyn Pace. Joel and Kim’s children are Chelsea Bachman, Colbie Harberts, Andrew Gustafson, Reggie Gustafson, and Whitney Gustafson. Cindy and Tracy’s children are Nicole Bellinghausen and Hilary Ebane, and 17 great grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Kiron with burial to follow in the Kiron Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family and a donation will be made in Emeline’s name to entities that she supports and are close to her heart.