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Charles Gustafson

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Charles Edmund Gustafson, 84, of Storm Lake died Monday, March 4, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, March 22, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund.

Charles Edmund Gustafson was born Jan. 13, 1940, to Leonard and Dorothy (Sigwalt) Gustafson in Storm Lake. He attended school in Truesdale and was a member of the last graduating class of Truesdale High School. Charles was a member of tUnited Methodist Church in Storm Lake. He served in the Army National Guard.

On Nov. 27, 1960, Charles was united in marriage to Beverly Jackson at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. To this union, four children were born: Debbie, Mike, Scott and Jaime. Together, Charles and Beverly worked on the farm outside of Storm Lake until 1987, when they moved to Las Vegas. Charles worked at an airport for a number of years until he retired and then returned to Storm Lake. 

Charles enjoyed fishing and hunting, particularly a trip to Raine Lake in Canada with his son and grandson. The kids recall loading up the camper and going on two-week vacations. Charles entered many horseshoe tournaments. He was a huge Vikings fan and loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. You could find Charles gardening and canning vegetables, also pickling and making jerky with Beverly. He attended weekly coffee with friends. Charles was always ready to play dice and cards with the grandkids or attend their sporting events and concerts.  He enjoyed art work and painted a special painting for each and every grandchild and great-grandchild that he currently had. At family gatherings you could find Charles videotaping and narrating the events. In his free time, he could also be found watching western or war movies. Charles loved taking care of his three kitties.

Charles is survived by his children: Debbie (Jeff) Klatt, Mike (Kathy) Gustafson and Jaime (Robert) Katsikaris; grandchildren: Jessica Greene, Megan (Matt) Spreacker, Allison (fiancé Colby) Lundgren, Derek (Hether) Gustafson, Trista (Jeff) Heinze, Lindsay (Casey) Klatt, Mackenzie (Adam) Nilles, Ben (Ashley) Klatt, Eric (fiancé Allie) Klatt, Kayla (fiancé Aaron) Katsikaris, Nikko Katsikaris; great-grandchildren: Kadin Greene, Adyson Greene, Bella Spreacker, Braylen Spreacker, Paige Lundgren, Bowen Stephens, Kinnick Klatt, Knox Klatt, Nora Klatt, Scotlynn Klatt, Calysta Klatt, Knox Klatt, Nora Klatt, Kinnick Klatt, Brayden Nilles, Jaxon Nilles, Ella Gustafson, Erin Gustafson, Lincoln Gustafson, Easton Heinze and Alaina Heinze; brothers, Jim Gustafson and Bill Gustafson; extended family and friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Gustafson; son Scott Gustafson; parents, Leonard and Dorothy Gustafson; brother-in-law Robert Jackson; and parents-in-law, Bill and Joyce Jackson.