Kenneth Gustafson, 91
<p>Kenneth Gustafson, 91</p>
Kenneth Gustafson, 91, was born on March 25, 1923, in Middle River, Minnesota to Per Erik and Anne Emilie Gustafson.
A Veteran Honor Service will be conducted on his birthday — March 25, 2015, at 3 p.m. at the Washington State Veterans’ Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola, Medical Lake, Wash.
After the death of his father in 1926, Anne and her two young children, Kenneth and his sister Ellen, moved to Buxton, N.D.
Kenneth lived with his aunt and uncle Gustaf and Hilda Gunderson, along with their family of 11 children until he joined the United States Army on Dec. 23, 1942.
Kenneth’s military career took him to Tyler, Texas, where he attended school to become a radio operator. Later, he was transferred to India, arriving there on Feb. 1, 1944. He served in Burma for 18 months before returning to the United States on Nov. 1,1945. He was discharged from the Army on Jan. 10, 1946. As a proud World War ll Veteran, Kenneth participated in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars as an active member for many years.
Kenneth’s musical interests became his occupation. Although he played guitar and banjo, his favorite instrument was the accordion. He played in dance bands, one of which was called “Rhythm Kings,” a five member group which featured “old time and standard” music.
Home for Kenneth was Naples, Idaho. His landlady, Jeneen Schuler, became a trusted friend who provided assistance, transportation and care as his sight and health rendered him less capable of providing for himself. His last months of life were spent at the Boundary Community Hospital and Nursing Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where he received remarkable care and attention until the day of his death, Jan. 4, 2015.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria. He is survived by his children, Rebecca Dyson of Spokane, Wash., and his son, John Gustafson of Ponderay, Idaho, grandsons, Michael Gustafson and Jason Lynch, granddaughters Jessica Gustafson, Brianna Lynch, Kaitlin Isherwood, four great grandchildren, a sister, Ellen Ross of Freeport, Ill., and several nieces, nephews and cousins.