Kennett L. Gustavson

Kennett's family will be greeting family and friends 5pm to 7pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

Kennett LeRoy Gustavson, “Gus”, son of Eric and Nellie (Hultquist) Gustavson was born April 25, 1935 at home SW of Scandia, Kansas. He passed from this life Saturday, January 3, 2015 at his home in Jamestown, Kansas with his beloved partner, Liz Standley at the age of 79 years. Gus was baptized and confirmed in the Ada Lutheran church and was a life time member. He attended Kackley elementary school and graduated from Jamestown High school in 1953 where he was active in football, basketball, and track. He continued his education at Fort Hays State University where he got both a scholarship and a job in order to play football. He received his Bachelors of Science of Agriculture in 1964. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and served proudly in the Army National Reserves for several years beginning in 1959. Gus was united in marriage to Eldred Elaine Jewett at the First United Methodist Church in Dighton, Kansas on August 30, 1958. To this marriage two children were born, Karen Kay and Kent Dale. Gus farmed 2500 acres of wheat and milo in Lane County and was a rancher for many years. In the 1970’s, he started a corn dozing business, processing corn and working with many feed yards in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Recently he retired and handed over the reins of the business to his longtime colleague and friend, Sergio Peregrino. Gus loved tractors and collected the John Deere D Series and many people in the Dighton community spent many hours helping him to restore them according to his fond childhood memories. He would drive them in parades and around town taking us on many rides. Throughout the years, he served his communities in various positions such as the Dighton Fire Department, Sunday school teacher and Lay Leader at the Methodist church, 4-H Leader, sold real-estate, ran a hunting business, active in the Lions club, district official for the Soil conservation of Lane County, and many other community activities. Gus was an avid fisherman and hunter. He collected rocks, coins, barbed wire, and old lanterns. He loved anything that told a story from the past especially with a “fish” tale involved. He loved to laugh, got to school and family reunions many times serving as the leader. He and Liz loved to travel to old and new places with their dogs Snooky and Taco. They loved to go to antique stores and church events. They made friends all over the country in their travels. He was very interested in family history and the history of Republic County. He spent many hours sharing stories with friends and family, especially his Dad’s journey from Sweden to Kansas. Gus was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Eldred; sister Ella Mae Baird; and two infant siblings. He will be forever remembered by his life partner Elizabeth “Liz” Standley of their home; daughter Karen Gustavson; son Kent and wife Annette Gustavson; sister Virginia (Ed) Smith; close friend Sergio (Lisa) Peregrino; a niece Marilyn (Bernie) Horienek; 8 nephews Frank, Ben and Mike Baird, Eddie (Vickie) Smith, Mark (Katja) Smith, Steve (Tina) Smith, David and Bruce Smith; Liz’s daughter Tina (Bobby) Goff and son Phillip (Bobbie) Hill; seven grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; 15 great nieces & nephews; 10 great, great nieces & nephews; several cousins and many friends.