Merle Gustafson, 72, died on Friday, May 5, 2006 near Plummer, MN.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 11, 2006 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Merrill Kindall officiating. Burial will be in the Community Cemetery, St. Hilaire, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Merle Orville Gustafson was born on September 19, 1933 in Thief River Falls, MN. He grew up in River Falls Township, Red Lake County. He attended school in Plummer, MN graduating from Pershing High School in 1951.

Merle was united in marriage to Carol Lee Conklin on November 13, 1954 in St. Hilaire, MN. The couple made their home on Merles family farm; where he lived all of his life except while in the military. Merle served his country in the US Air Force from 1955-1958. The couple returned home from the service and Merle took over the family farm after his dad became ill. They raised chickens, turkeys, and then converted over to dairy. Merle also worked other jobs while farming, including the turkey plant in Thief River Falls, MN; Detroiter Home Manufacturing in Red Lake Falls, MN; installing curb and gutter in Middle River, and also drove school bus for Plummer School District off and on for over 50 years.

Merle took pride in keeping a beautiful yard. He also enjoyed 4-wheeling, card playing with the grandchildren, water skiing, and dining out. He was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls, where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of the American Legion in Plummer.

Merle is survived by his wife Carol, St. Hilaire, MN; 7 children: Barry (Lynn) Gustafson, Loveland, CO; Treva (Jon) Bohm, St. Paul Park, MN: Todd (Nancy) Gustafson, Plummer, MN; Mike (Rosemary) Gustafson, Thief River Falls, MN; Blair (Vicki) Gustafson, St. Hilaire, MN; Sheila (Wayne) Johnson, St. Hilaire, MN; Troy (Tamara) Gustafson, Oklee, MN; 20 grandchildren: Jennifer Land, Matthew Gustafson, Danielle Gustafson, Joshua Bohm, Travis Bohm, Andrew Gustafson, Dustin Gustafson, Tyler Gustafson, John Cervantes, Jason Cervantes, Angella Farias, Tiffany Gustafson, Lacey Gustafson, Brittany Gustafson, Jordan Gustafson, Preston Johnson, Chasity Johnson, Courtney Gustafson, Brooke Gustafson, Dylan Gustafson, 8 great grandchildren: Katie, Nicholas, Carly, Josie, Aidan, Ben, Lilliana, Macaella; 1 brother, Raymond (Jean) Gustafson, St. Cloud, MN; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Russell Gufty.

ORGANIST: Helen Dahlstrom
SOLOIST: Ken Wiggs
SELECTIONS: (2)
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Soon and Very Soon
CASKETBEARERS: Matthew Gustafson, Joshua Bohm, Andrew Gustafson, Jason Cervantes, Preston Johnson, Jordan Gustafson, Dylan Gustafson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Jennifer Land, Danielle Gustafson, Travis Bohm, Dustin Gustafson, Tyler Gustafson, John Cervantes, Angella Farias, Tiffany Gustafson, Lacey Gustafson, Brittany Gustafson, Chasity Johnson, Courtney Gustafson, Brooke Gustafson,
MILITARY HONORS: Plummer American Legion
BAGPIPER: Dan Aird