Mark Hugh Gustafson

Mark Hugh Gustafson, the son of Bert and Joyce (Miller) Gustafson, was born August 27,1949, in Cherokee, Iowa and died January 9, 2022, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 72 years, 4 months, and 12 days.

Mark was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. He attended Aurelia Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1968.

Mark enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1968. During his tour of duty, he was stationed in the Philippines and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1972 and returned home to attend Iowa Lakes Community College, in Emmetsburg, Iowa where he received an Associated Degree in Agriculture.

In 1974, he was united in marriage to Sandra Ortman in Burt, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Heidi, Benjamin and Ashley. They settled in Cherokee where Mark worked at several jobs in the area. Mark served in the Iowa National Guard for several years. Later he moved to Denison, Iowa. and was employed at the Farmland packing plant until his retirement. Due to health issues, he moved into the Audubon Friendship Home where he resided until his death.

Mark was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He was an avid Iowa State University fan and enjoyed watching them play football and various other sports. Mark cherished the many residents and staff at the Friendship Home, where he served in resident leadership positions.

Preceding him in death were his parents; Bert and Joyce Gustafson.

Survivors include his children and his grandchildren; his brother and sisters: Janet and husband James Tinker of Audubon, Iowa, Grant and wife Joan Gustafson of Charleston, South Carolina, and Ann and husband David Stubbendeck of Melbourne, Florida; his nieces and nephews: Will and wife Caroline Tinker, Matthew and wife Emily Tinker, Trent and wife Alicia Gustafson, Shanna and husband Dee Mago, Gwen and husband Brooks Campbell, Brock Stubbendeck, and Christian Stubbendeck; his great nieces and great nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

The family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening January 12, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dan Beattie on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Aurelia, Iowa.