Rudy Gustafson, age 91, of Pentwater, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 2, 2008. He was born in Dalton Township on February 27, 1917 to Arthur H. and Anna (Bard) Gustafson. He graduated from Montague High School, and attended Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, and the Muskegon School of Business. On April 12, 1941, he married E. Maxine Luhman of Muskegon and they made their home in Glenside.
Rudy was drafted in 1945 and served two years in the U.S. Army at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. He returned to Muskegon and worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass from 1946-47. In 1948, with a desire to have his own business, he moved his family to Pentwater and purchased "Pentwater Appliance." The appliance business emerged into a gift emporium becoming "Gustafson's Gifts, World Marketplace." The Gustafson's made yearly trips abroad. Their travels took them around the world three times visiting missionaries while finding unusual and exotic items to sell in the store. In 1979 he sold the business to his son. Upon retiring, he and Maxine volunteered in a missionary guest house for two years on the Island of Cebu, Philipines. He served in numerous community positions including Village Treasurer, First Baptist Church Leadership, Gideons, Jail Ministry, President of the School Board, and the Pentwater Village Council including serving as President. Rudy was named Citizen of the Year of Pentwater in 1987. In addition to Maxine, his wife of 67 years, he is survived by three children, Dean (Maureen) Gustafson of Pentwater, Miriam Gustafson of Grand Rapids, and Jane (Sam) Morrison of Pentwater. In addition they have an international daughter, Mitra Fard (Jim) Delaney. Also surviving are six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Rudy died at home under the loving care of his family and Hospice. Visitation Thursday, August 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Branch
Building in Pentwater. Funeral Service Friday, August 8, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, corner of First and Rutledge Street, Pentwater. Friends may greet the family a half hour before the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or Gideons, International.