Harold R Gustafson

Harold R. Gustafson February 25, 1929 - January 24, 2015

Harold R. Gustafson, age 85 of Faribault, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the District One Hospital in Faribault.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault. Entombment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Harold Raymond, the son of Jacob and Anna (Pumper) Gustafson, was born on February 25, 1929 in Cannon City Township, Rice County, MN. He was nicknamed Kelly because he always wore a Kelly Green baseball cap. Harold served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was also a member of the U.S. Army Drum Corps. Harold''s first marriage was to Donna Graham and they had six children, Mike Graham, Steve (Pam) Graham, Susan LaMotte, Mark (Lori) Gustafson, Jane (Mark) Whillock and Kevin (Sandy) Gustafson. His second marriage was to Lou Ella Rutt and they were married 39 years and his love of family grew. Lou Ella preceded him in death on October 28, 2014. Lou Ella''s children are; Kim (Ken) Warner, Debra Shanahan, Geraldine Cloutier, Constance (Ronnie) Raugh, Mary Kay (Jim) Smith, Mark Haug and Scott (Sue) Hamann. Harold''s siblings are Delores (John) Carver, Anna Mae (John) Heine, Bernard (Mary) Gustafson, (Louise Gustafson), George Gustafson, Robert (Marlene) Gustafson, Phyllis (Jim) Heine and Judy (Lenny) Mahoney. He has many grandchildren, great grandchildren, Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, In-laws and friends, too numerous to name but know that he loved you all very much.

As a young man Harold worked on the farm and also for the railroad. After his marriage he worked for over 35 years at McQuay''s. Harold loved listening to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline music and enjoyed watching Gene Autry western movies. He loved to hunt and fish and the biggest fish he ever reeled in was a 6-pound northern pike. He was a devoted

Minnesota Twins fan, collected coins and loved gardening. Harold loved to play cards, especially euchre and skipbo. Harold and Lou Ella were volunteers for meals on wheels for 25 years and when asked for his best advice he would say, "Do what you can for others". He was a longtime member of IC Church, the American Legion Post 43, the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Knights of Columbus, Council 889 for 50 years.

Harold was a great fun loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Son.