Obituary for RUEBIN C. GUSTAFSON
A fighter to the end, on Friday, February 25, 2022, Ruebin Clete Gustafson (affectionately known as ‘Rabbit’ or ‘Bunny’), of Co. Rd. 565, lost his battle to COVID at UP Health System Marquette. Several times throughout his life, often through sheer grit and determination, Ruebin overcame many hardships. This time, however, the opponent he faced was too insidious and attacked with a vengeance he could not overcome.
Born July 16, 1963, Ruebin was a life-long resident of Forsyth Township, and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1981. He worked in maintenance and driving heavy equipment for several local employers, including Gwinn Public Schools, Marquette County Courthouse, Marquette County Airport and Northern Michigan University.
In 2014, Ruebin sustained an injury that eventually led to kidney failure. In 2015 he received a kidney transplant at University of Wisconsin – Madison, a gift for which he was forever grateful.
Ruebin’s interests and talents were varied and many. He was a great cook (known especially for his potato sausage), had a real knack for cultivating fruit trees, was the keeper of family oral histories, and took pleasure in helping friends and family with everything from plowing to pet-sitting. For several years he volunteered for UPAWS, picking up donation canisters and offered his services as a volunteer designated driver for parties and events. Weekend evenings he could be found sitting with friends and family around the backyard fire pit, on Saturdays listening to country oldies on the radio with Elmer Aho.
Ruebin’s greatest joy, however, came from admiring, working on, and driving pretty much any motorized vehicle. There was never a classic car he didn’t stop to admire and would often ask owners about a car’s history. He found great satisfaction on working on older vehicles and bringing them back to life. During the summer months, he could be found riding the lawn tractor – mowing, mulching, fertilizing and hauling. The day he obtained his commercial drivers’ license was one of excitement because it opened opportunities to work with heavy equipment. His way to unwind came from his frequent road trips around the central UP. Travel tunes keeping him company, he could be found tooling along all the highways, byways and dirt tracks, stopping to check out everything from long abandoned farm sites, to small mom and pop stores and restaurants.
Preceding Ruebin in death were his parents, Bernhardt and Helen (Willig) Gustafson; his brother, David Paul Gustafson; two infant sisters, Sandra Jean and Lynn Marie Gustafson; and sister-in-law, Eudora (Mark) McKenzie Gustafson.
He is survived by his sister, Reva (David) Laituri of Negaunee; and three brothers: Alvin Gustafson of Forsyth Township, Mark Gustafson of Ishpeming, and Luke (Trudy) Gustafson of Palmer.
In accordance with Ruebin’s wishes, his body will be cremated and interment will take place at Bakkala Cemetery in Forsyth Township. Private services will be held at a later date.
Mr. Gustafson’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Born July 16, 1963, Ruebin was a life-long resident of Forsyth Township, and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1981. He worked in maintenance and driving heavy equipment for several local employers, including Gwinn Public Schools, Marquette County Courthouse, Marquette County Airport and Northern Michigan University.
In 2014, Ruebin sustained an injury that eventually led to kidney failure. In 2015 he received a kidney transplant at University of Wisconsin – Madison, a gift for which he was forever grateful.
Ruebin’s interests and talents were varied and many. He was a great cook (known especially for his potato sausage), had a real knack for cultivating fruit trees, was the keeper of family oral histories, and took pleasure in helping friends and family with everything from plowing to pet-sitting. For several years he volunteered for UPAWS, picking up donation canisters and offered his services as a volunteer designated driver for parties and events. Weekend evenings he could be found sitting with friends and family around the backyard fire pit, on Saturdays listening to country oldies on the radio with Elmer Aho.
Ruebin’s greatest joy, however, came from admiring, working on, and driving pretty much any motorized vehicle. There was never a classic car he didn’t stop to admire and would often ask owners about a car’s history. He found great satisfaction on working on older vehicles and bringing them back to life. During the summer months, he could be found riding the lawn tractor – mowing, mulching, fertilizing and hauling. The day he obtained his commercial drivers’ license was one of excitement because it opened opportunities to work with heavy equipment. His way to unwind came from his frequent road trips around the central UP. Travel tunes keeping him company, he could be found tooling along all the highways, byways and dirt tracks, stopping to check out everything from long abandoned farm sites, to small mom and pop stores and restaurants.
Preceding Ruebin in death were his parents, Bernhardt and Helen (Willig) Gustafson; his brother, David Paul Gustafson; two infant sisters, Sandra Jean and Lynn Marie Gustafson; and sister-in-law, Eudora (Mark) McKenzie Gustafson.
He is survived by his sister, Reva (David) Laituri of Negaunee; and three brothers: Alvin Gustafson of Forsyth Township, Mark Gustafson of Ishpeming, and Luke (Trudy) Gustafson of Palmer.
In accordance with Ruebin’s wishes, his body will be cremated and interment will take place at Bakkala Cemetery in Forsyth Township. Private services will be held at a later date.
Mr. Gustafson’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com