Susan K Gustafson

GUSTAFSON, SNEDDEN

Posted By: Pat Frette (email)
Date: 1/15/2009 at 11:16:01

Susan Kay (Snedden) Gustafson, age 55, of 321 Carroll Street in Boone, passed from this life surrounded by her loving family after a year long battle with cancer on December 8, 2008, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. Sue was born November 20, 1953, to John H. and Verlaine (Pearson) Snedden in the Boone County Hospital, Boone, Iowa. Sue attended Sacred Heart School kindergarten through tenth grade, at which time the Sacred Heart High School closed and she transferred to Boone High School to finish out her last two years. While attending Sacred Heart, Sue enjoyed participating in many academic clubs and activities and also played basketball and volleyball. After graduating from Boone High School in 1972, Sue attended DMACC in Boone for two years on an academic scholarship, and then transferred to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. From UNI, Sue received a degree in Social Work with a minor in psychology.
After graduation, Sue moved back to Boone and was employed by Sandler Built Homes, where she met her husband, Wayne Gustafson. Sue and Wayne were married August 27, 1977, at Lanyon Covenant Church, Lanyon, IA. Because Sue spent many summers of her childhood in Harcourt, where Wayne grew up, they believe they must have played together as children, although neither of them remembered the other.
In 1977, Sue obtained a job with Woodward State Hospital as a Social Worker, beginning her life career of taking care of others. After working at Woodward for seven years, Sue began working with Head Start in Boone and in 1986, took over as director of New Horizons Child Care, where she worked until shortly before her death. Sue loved children and truly enjoyed working with them. She influenced many lives as director of the day care. Sue was actively involved with many committees throughout the years, including ABWA, Pufferbilly Day's children's activities, Empowerment, and others involving the day care.
Sue enjoyed fishing with her husband, especially while on vacation in Minnesota, reading, attending craft shows with her sisters, doing crossword puzzles, shopping, and playing games with anyone, child or adult. Sue, above all, enjoyed spending time with her daughter, Mandy, no matter what the activity.
Sue is preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Helen in 1958, her mother, Verlaine (Pearson) Snedden in August 1960, a great-nephew, Lane Russell in February 2005, and her stepmother, Audrey (Modeland) Snedden in April 2007.
She is lovingly survived by her husband, Wayne of 31 years; her daughter, Mandy Gleason and husband Ben, of Ankeny; her father, John H. Snedden of Boone; three sisters, Linda Modeland and husband Tim, Sandy Russell and husband Ron, and Nancy Lonergan and husband Pete, and one brother, John W. Snedden, all of Boone. Sue is also survived by her father and mother-in-law, Lauren and Patricia Gustafson, of Harcourt, Iowa, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Steven and Rhonda Gustafson, of Paton, Iowa, Tim and Kris Gustafson of Jewell, Iowa, Rick and Lori Gustafson, of Hubbard, Iowa, Shari and Bob Lind, of Redfield, SD, and Pam and Larry Arentson, of Redwood Falls, MN. Sue also has numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews that she absolutely adored.
For those who truly knew Sue, she will fondly be remembered for her quick wit, complete honesty, and eagerness to listen and help.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 703 Greene St., Boone, Iowa, with Rev. Dr. Richard Harken officiating. Following the service, her body will be gifted to the Des Moines University in Des Moines. Visitation will be held at Schroeder Memorial Chapel, Sixth and Marshall, in Boone on Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Visitation continues Thursday at the Church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or any cancer research fund of your choice, New Horizons Child Care, or Israel Family Hospice House.
Online condolences and a guestbook are available at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Boone News Republican