John Gustafson passed  away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 9 – 11AM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Private burial will be held at a later date at Viking Cemetery.

John Irving Gustafson was born on January 27, 1936 son of Clarence and Anne (Larson) Gustafson at the family farm in Viking Township. He was raised near Viking, attended Viking elementary school and graduated from Newfolden High School in 1954.

John entered the US Army in 1958  and served his country until his honorable discharge in 1960. Following his discharge he was hired by Ibberson Construction Company of Minneapolis, MN. He worked on projects in ND, MN, Iowa, Michigan and New York.

John was united in marriage to Leona Rae Harmoning on November 30, 1963 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. To this union 4 children were born Julie, Scott, Jan, and Sandi. The couple made their home in Viking, MN where they raised their family. They purchased the Larson family farm where he raised grain and cattle. He also continued working construction over the road for many years.

John loved his family and farming. He loved spending time driving around on the farm in his pick-up or his tractor.

John is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Leona Gustafson of Viking, MN; children Julie (Dale) Emley of Saint Peter, MN, Scott (Janelle) Gustafson of Andover, MN, Jan Arnold of Willmar, MN and Sandi Homme of Viking, MN; grandchildren Emily, Madison, Maxwell, Mark and Luke; siblings Arlene (Wallace) Hanson of Viking, MN, Ione (Bill) Brinkman of Wannaska, MN and Larry (Carmen) Gustafson of Thief River Falls, MN along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Lewayne Gustafson and son-in-law Deron Arnold.

In Lieu of flowers memorials are suggested.