Ivan John Gustafson (1920 - 2011)

Born 28 Jul 1920 in Duval, Washington, United States

Ancestors

Died 24 Nov 2011 at age 91 in Ketchum, Idaho, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Cynthia Larson [send private message]

Biography

On 28 Jul 1920, Ivan John Gustafson was born in Duval, Washington. ^[1]

On 10 Apr 1930 at the time of the 1930 US Census, head of household Emil J. Gustafson (age 45, born in Finland) was employed as a Driller at a Construction site and living in a home he rented for $10 at 40 Main Street in Duvall, King, Washington with his wife Ingrid S. Gustafson (age 34, born in Sweden), daughter Alice E. Gustafson (age 24, born in UT), son Ivan J. Gustafson (age 9, born in WA), and son Ray E. Gustafson (age 7, born in WA). Emil was first married at age 20; Ingrid was first married at age 24. Both of Emil's parents were born in Finland; both of Ingrid's parents were born in Sweden. Emil immigrated to the USA in 1901 and was a naturalized citizen. Ingrid immigrated to the USA in 1913 and was a naturalized citizen. Ingrid was an Operator at a Service Station. ^[2]

On 4 Apr 1940 at the time of the 1940 US Census, head of household Victor Nogel (age 49, born in Sweden) was employed as a Grocer in a Grocery Store and living in a home he owned valued at $2,000 in King County, Washington with his wife Ingrid Nogel (age 43, born in Sweden), stepson Ivan Gustafson (age 19, born in WA), and stepson Roy Gustafson (age 17, born in WA). ^[3]

On 24 Nov 2011, Dr. Ivan John Gustafson died in Ketchum, Idaho.^[4]

Dr. Ivan John Gustafson's obituary was published in the Idaho Mountain Express on 30 Nov 2011:

"Ivan John Gustafson, M.D. "Dr. Gus," died peacefully at home on Thanksgiving Day surrounded by his family. He was born July 28, 1920, outside tiny Duval, Washington. The Great Depression and his father's untimely death forced him to find work where he could at age 14. He attended Washington State University where he met his life partner, Lucille Oatman, whom he married while in the service. He taught school for a brief period of time before joining the Navy. Gus served as a gunnery officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. At the end of the war, he went to the University of Oregon Medical School on the GI Bill. After his general surgery residency, he joined the Poly Clinic in Seattle, eventually becoming its president. In addition to his medical practice, Gus served first on the Redmond Planning Commission and later on the Redmond City Council as a strong proponent of low-density planned-unit development. In 1970, tiring of the stress of city life, they moved to the Wood River Valley. Gus helped found the Ketchum Medical Clinic. He later joined the Blaine County Planning Commission, eventually serving two terms as Blaine County commissioner. During that time, he helped start the Blaine County Recreation District. In the late 1970s, Gus obtained federal funds to cover most of the cost to construct a four-lane highway between Bellevue and Ketchum. This proposal was soundly rejected by voters. It was such an unpopular idea that he might have been tarred and feathered, but he was, after all, the only surgeon around. After retiring from medical practice at age 66, they moved to Hagerman, Idaho, where he started a new career as a farmer. Thankfully, since almost everything grows in Hagerman, he was moderately successful. Gus enjoyed fishing and hunting, but was a notoriously poor shot, so the ducks, pheasants and deer mostly escaped unscathed. When Gus's health started to fail, his grandson, Ryan, came to live on the farm to care for Gus and Lucy, allowing Gus to remain on the farm until his death. Gus is survived by Lucy, his wife of 68 years; his four children, Lee (Ruth), Jayme (Denny), Ray (Rita) and Kirk (Kit); nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and countless friends. His grandson Bradley Johnson preceded him in death. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ "Idaho, Southeast Counties Obituaries, 1864-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVS6-696R : 26 July 2017), Dr Ivan John Gustafson, 2011; Idaho Falls Regional Family History Center, Idaho Falls; FHL microfilm 100,464,654.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCSB-JW4 : accessed 7 April 2018), Ivan J Gustafson in household of Emil J Gustafson, Duvall, King, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 258, sheet 2A, line 24, family 40, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2489; FHL microfilm 2,342,223.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K99R-BDW : accessed 7 April 2018), Ivan Gustafson in household of Victor Nogel, Novelty Election Precinct, King, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 17-149, sheet 2A, line 16, family 21, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4345.
4. ↑ "Idaho, Southeast Counties Obituaries, 1864-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVS6-696R : 26 July 2017), Dr Ivan John Gustafson, 2011; Idaho Falls Regional Family History Center, Idaho Falls; FHL microfilm 100,464,654.
5. ↑ Dr. Ivan John Gustafson Obituary. Idaho Mountain Express, Ketchum, Idaho. 30 Nov 2011.