Debbie Gustafson

Debbie Susan Gustafson, 59, of Trommald, died Sunday, June 10, 2012, of squamous cell carcinoma. She died at home without pain with her family at her side.

She was born May 21, 1953, in Duluth, the daughter of Robert and Irene (Svee) Male.

She grew up and attended schools in Two Harbors, graduating from the high school in 1971. She then attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Duluth and received her registered nurse diploma in 1974.

She married Berndt H. Gustafson June 29, 1974, and in the next three years lived in Moose Lake and Denver before settling back in Minnesota in Emily, where she lived with her family until they moved to Trommald in 1996.

She was a nurse at St. Joseph’s Medical Center for 31 years. For many years she served as a Sunday school teacher at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Outing. Most recently she was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

She was a passionate gardener, loved spending time at the family cabin at Bassett Lake near Fairbanks and she adored her grandchildren.

Last year she fulfilled a dream of traveling to Hawaii with her family. She made life better for those around her and made the people close to her better by her presence.

She is survived by her husband, Berndt Gustafson of Trommald; sons, Bjorn Gustafson (Philip Faggiano) of Eagan, Leif Gustafson (Melissa Gustafson) of Ironton; parents, Robert and Irene Male of Two Harbors; brother, Daniel Male of Carlton; sister, Peggy Pruden of Duluth; grandchildren, William, Sven, and Emma Gustafson.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lars and Frida Svee and Edwin and Laura Male.

A memorial service begins at 2 p.m. today (Friday) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Rev. Mark Skinner officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Private interment will take place at Basset Lake Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Global Health Ministries of the American Lung Association. Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. To sign a guest register, go to www.srtfuneral.com.

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