GUSTASON, John Randall 1951-1975 & Deborah Kaye (O’BRIEN), 1955-1975

GUSTASON, O’BRIEN, ANGSTEAD, HOLMES, HISEL, KIGER, JOHNSTON, FOUDREE

Posted By: Betty Hootman
Date: 7/4/2012 at 15:17:11

Added by Admin, January 2024 --

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 17, 1975
Front Page, Columns 7 and 8

Former Residents--
Young Couple Killed

Two former Fairfield residents, Randy GUSTASON, 24, and his wife, Debbie, 20, were killed Tuesday night in a one-car traffic accident near Freeport, Ill.

The Stephenson County sheriff's office said the accident occurred on the Route 75 river road about one and a half miles east of Freeport.

The car, which left the road and plunged down a steep embankment, was not found until 7 a.m. today. Mrs. GUSTASON, who was thrown from the car, was still alive when officers reached the scene, but she died a short time later at a Freeport Hospital. GUSTASON was pinned inside the car when it landed on its top.

GUSTASON was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James GUSTASON, former local residents who now live in Freeport. Mrs. GUSTASON, the former Debbie O'BRIEN, was the daughter of Beverly O'BRIEN, Fairfield, and Ronald O'BRIEN, Ames.

Officers said the accident occurred sometime between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. when the wrecked car was spotted by a passing motorist.

The couple were en route to their home, four miles east of Freeport. They had attended a Christmas dinner given by the Freeport insurance firm where GUSTASON was employed.

Both of the victims were graduates of Fairfield High School. Randy was a member of the class of 1969 and his wife was a member of the class of 1974.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Original posting by Betty Hootman --

Fairfield (IA) Ledger
Thursday, December 18, 1975
Columns 6, 7, and 8

For GUSTASON Couple --------
Double Funeral Services

Double services will be held in Fairfield Saturday for Mr. and Mrs. Randy GUSTASON, both former Fairfield residents who were killed in a one-car traffic accident near Freeport, Ill., Tuesday night.

The services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lenwood Monte and the Rev. David Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Raymond Funeral Home Saturday morning before the caskets are taken to the church at noon.

The services in Fairfield will be preceded by double services to be held in Freeport Friday.

Reports from Freeport Wednesday said the accident took place on Route 75 about 1½ miles east of Freeport. The car left the road and plunged down a steep embankment and was not found until 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Mrs. GUSTASON was thrown from the car and was alive when officers searched the scene. She died a short time later at the Freeport Hospital. GUSTASON was pinned inside the car when it landed on its top.

Randy GUSTASON, 24, was the son of James and Harriett ANGSTEAD GUSTASON, former Fairfield residents. He was born March 17, 1951, in Fairfield and attended school in this community.

He was married to Deborah Kay O'BRIEN Jan. 20, 1974, in Fairfield. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church and had lived in Freeport the past two years.

GUSTASON is survived by his parents, three sisters and a brother: Mrs. Tom HOLMES, West Liberty; Margaret and Mary Ann at home; and David at home.

Other survivors include his grandmother, Mrs. Nellie ANGSTEAD, Freeport; and his step grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard HISEL, Fairfield.

Deborah Kay (sic - Kaye) O'BRIEN, 20, was born Nov. 23, 1955, in Fairfield. She is the daughter of Ronald O'BRIEN, Ames, and Beverly JOHNSTON O'BRIEN, Fairfield.

She was reared and educated in Fairfield and was married Jan. 20, 1974, to John Randall GUSTASON at Fairfield.

Survivors include her parents; one sister, Mrs. Rebecca KIGER, Des Moines; a brother David O'BRIEN, Fairfield; and two grandmothers, Mrs. Kathleen JOHNSTON, Birmingham, and Mrs. Clarence FOUDREE, Ottumwa.

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Admin entry copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the submitter ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Admin. note: Buried in Lot 5th.058.