Kathryn Gustafson

Kathryn Wenzel Gustafson, 103, was born on January 17, 1913 in Hay Township to Jacob and Annie Wenzel. She grew up on the farm, attended country school, and graduated from Osnabrock High School in 1931. She rode the train to Valley City Teacher’s College and graduated from there with a two year teaching degree. Kathryn taught in various country schools. One of the places she stayed was at Andrew and Sophie Gustafson’s where she met her to-be-husband, Joseph. They were married in June of 1936. They lived in South Olga Township on a farm. While living on this farm, they had four of their five children: Joyce Rude of Fargo, ND, Andrew (Lynne) of Marco Island, FL, Richard, and Judy (Bob) Burner of Donnelly, MN. In 1944, they moved to their farm they called home for the rest of their lives. There, Jonielle (Chuck) Soderstrom of Devils Lake was born.

Kathryn was a hard worker, and until the kids were old enough, she worked the farm and barn animals with her husband. She did what had to be done. She always had a beautiful yard and worked hard in the garden and canned. She was always so proud of her raspberries and strawberries and made jam, jelly, and pies for her kids and grandkids her whole life. She was the best cook and made sure no one went away hungry.

The winters were so bad in 1956, the family moved to Langdon but just for the winters. Each spring, they went back to the farm and then back to town in the fall. Kathryn lost her son, Richard, in 1963; her husband in 1968; her son, Andrew, in 2012; her son-in-law, Glenn Rude; her sister, Frances Mirehouse; and her brothers, Sterling and Harold Wenzel.

Kathryn was active in the church from birth until the closing of the Zion Church, 10 miles east of Langdon. She was a member of the Zion EUB Church, the Langdon EUB Church and later, the United Methodist Church. Kathryn was a 4-H leader and always said she learned more than the kids. She was a recipient of �Yard of the Month’ which was a proud accomplishment for her.

Kathryn had seven grandchildren: Dr. Jackie (Dr. John) Osland, Rob (Jen) Burner, Craig (Steph) Burner, Dr. Jocelyn Soderstrom, Shane (Brook) Soderstrom, Angie Gustafson, and Mitchell (Lauren) Gustafson, eleven great-grandchildren: Travis & Hannah Osland; Ellia, Luke & Andrew Gustafson; Austyn, Abigail, Joe & Ben Burner; and Garrett, Charlie Jo, Carsyn, Joshua, & Ian Soderstrom and one great- great-granddaughter, Kenley Soderstrom. She also has one brother, Bob Wenzel of Saratoga, CA and a sister-in-law, Lauretta Wenzel.

Kathryn was a very special mom, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. She saw many changes in her years and will be missed.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Langdon, ND with visitation starting 1:00 the day of the service.