Stuart Vernon Gustafson, 94

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Stuart Vernon Gustafson, 94, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, at his home in Kalispell.

He was born on a homestead in Goldstone on Feb. 21, 1917, to Matilda and Nicholas Gustafson.

Stuart received his education in a small country school where he either walked or rode a horse 8 miles round trip daily to get there and back. His home was in the Sweetgrass area about 20 miles from the Canadian border, where neighbors were few and far between.

When Stuart was old enough to work, he moved to Rudyard along the Hi-Line about 40 miles from Havre. In Rudyard, he met and married his wife, Lydia Aevermann Gustafson. Their eldest son Melvin was born in Havre.

The family lived in Rudyard, where Stuart began a lifelong career as a mechanic. The family moved to Great Falls, where three more sons were born, Allen, Arlen and Vernon.

In Great Falls, Stuart continued his career as a mechanic, gaining a reputation as one of the best vehicle mechanics around. People said he could make any kind of motor run like it was brand new.

In 1955 the Gustafsons moved to Bigfork. Stuart opened a garage in Bigfork and continued his well-deserved reputation as being the man to fix any vehicle around. In 1970 he went to work for auto dealers in town fixing cars. He retired after many years of work.

Stuart’s interests were varied. He loved to fish and hunt with his family. His hands and mind were always working on inventing and building any type of motor vehicle. He built a small ’47 Jeep out of refrigerator doors or any other materials he could find. His sons enjoyed the Jeep, and to this day his grandchildren enjoy it.

Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Matilda and Nicholas Gustafson; his sister, Alice Wilson; his brother, Frietchev Gustafson; and his beloved son, Vernon, at the age of 27.

He is survived by his wife for more than 70 years, Lydia Gustafson; his three sons, Melvin Gustafson and wife Carol, Allen Gustafson and his wife Ilee, and Arlen Gustafson and his wife Sandra; five grandchildren, Steve Gustafson, Danny Gustafson, Jennifer Gustafson, Stacy Lee and Mia Cronk; and five great-grandchildren, Blain Gustafson, Ivy Gustafson, Turner Gustafson, Kaiden Johnson and Tucker Cronk, all of the Flathead area.

Stuart will be missed by family and friends. He had a sweet, gentle nature about him, and those who knew him called him a loved one or a good friend.

“Rest in God’s arms, our dear one; your struggle on earth is done. We love you and will miss you.”

Funeral services for Stuart will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Bartholomew of the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church officiating. A luncheon of family and friends will be held at the Eagles in Kalispell after the services on Tuesday.

Visitation will be in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Stuart’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Stuart’s tribute Wall, offer condolences and share memories.