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Raymond E. Gustafson • 1920 - 2003 Raymond E. Gustafson, 82, Lignite, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, in Kenmare, ND. Raymond was born August 22, 1920, in Portal, ND, the son of Ernest and Grace (Alden) Gustafson. He grew up and attended school in Portal. He married Jewel Smith on February 16, 1941. Raymond entered the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in World War II. His overseas duty was in France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Following his discharge in 1945, he moved to Lignite, ND, where he worked at several jobs in that area, including Sandberg's Redi-Mix, Oil Field Service, Ben-L Trucking, and for Koch Industries Matador branch in Lignite where he was District Manager for many years. He retired in 1982. Raymond enjoyed his retirement and spent the winter months in Quartzsite, Arizona. His cherished title as grandpa was his most important job. He enjoyed planting flowers, camping, fishing and woodworking in his spare time. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite, the Lignite Senior Citizens and the Lignite American Legion. Raymond is survived by his wife, Jewel Gustafson, Lignite; two sons, James Gustafson and Vickie Amon, Minot, and Raymond "Jerry" Gustafson and wife Ella Marie, Prescott, WI; two daughters, Caryn Peterson and husband David, Columbus, ND, and Melanie Smith and husband Dennis, Minot; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Gustafson, Delano, MN, Heide Ellis and husband Mark, Durand, WI, Weslie Peterson, Columbus, Daniel Peterson and wife Laura, Columbus, Carissa Mongeon and husband Thomas, Mandan, ND, Michael Smith and fiancée Dani Siebert, Minot, Tracey Perrone and husband Dominick, Minot, and Robert Smith and fiancée Susan Rinehimer, Maple Grove, MN; 13 great-grandchildren, Kallie and Brianna Schloer, Megan, Lakin, Bradon and Ryen Peterson, Sydnie and Cortnie Mongeon, Brittany Gustafson, Tyler and Emilee Gustafson, and Sarah and Nicole Smith; three step great-grandchildren, Ashley Perrone, and Rena and Faith Siebert; sisters, Lois Windrim, Moosimin, Sask., and Joyce Gunderson and husband Harold, Portal. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Shirley Wheeler and Delores Swenson, three brothers, Reginald, Ernie Wayne and Kenneth, and daughter-in-law, Diana Gustafson. Memorial Service: Saturday, June 14, 2003, 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Lignite. Burial: Monday, June 16, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. Officiant: Rev. Phyllis Scroggins Music Honorary Bearers: All of Raymond's family and friends Honor Guard, Flag Presentation and Taps: |