Gustaveson, Judith K. 1935-2016

GUSTAVESON, SHOEMAKER, KIRBY, WIELAND, BRINK, ZIEGMANN, FISHER

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 1/4/2017 at 15:53:44

Judith K. Gustaveson, 81, of West Des Moines, died Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Alverno in Clinton, Iowa. She fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was a resident of West Des Moines on three different occasions, beginning in 1958.
Judy was born March 10, 1935 in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of John and Margaret Shoemaker Kirby. She attended Evanston Township High School, graduating in 1953. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado, class of 1957. Judy married Charles “Chuck” Gustaveson on August 23, 1958 in Evanston, Illinois. She moved to Des Moines on September 1, 1958. During the following 17 years, she gave birth to three daughters and a son.
In 1975 the family moved to Clinton, Iowa, where Chuck served as President of First National Bank and Judy served as Executive Director of the Clinton County Red Cross Chapter. In 1981 the Gustaveson’s moved back to West Des Moines where Judy became employed as Executive Secretary of the downtown Des Moines Rotary Club. In 1984 Judy moved with her family to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Judy became a residential realtor, enjoying a very successful career, terminating with her retirement in 2001. In 1984 Rotary International finally permitted women to become members of Rotary. Judy was a charter member of the newly formed Del Norte Rotary Club in Albuquerque. She served several years as the Club’s Secretary and was named the Club’s Rotarian of the year in 1993.
In 2001 Chuck and Judy moved to Tonto Verde, Arizona. Judy enjoyed playing tennis and golf and taking long walks with her Golden Retriever’s, all of whom had names beginning with the letter “J”.
Judy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007. Following the diagnosis, she and Chuck returned to Wes Des Moines. Because of her disease, she became a resident of Trinity Center at Luther Park in 2015, where she received wonderful care.
Judy is survived by her husband, Chuck; daughters, Linda (Brian) Wieland of Phoenix, Arizona; Karla (Tjeerd) Brink of Temecula, California and Karen Gustaveson of Mt Prospect, Illinois; grandchildren, Thomas Ziegmann, Nathan and Katie Wieland, Taylor, Erica and Andrew Brink and Kayla Fisher and her brother, Jack Kirby of Grandville, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her son, Andrew and her parents.
A celebration of Life is pending in West Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting with the arrangements.