John Gustafson, 79

Dennis B.
Sauk Rapids, MN     06/12/2012 1:37 PM

We lost a great friend with the passing of John Gustafson. It seems strange to think that John is not walking this earth anymore or that I will not be able to see him in this world. He was an everyday hero to me. Great quiet, humble leader. Fierce competitor. Great athlete. I was a classmate of John's at Alexandria High School when he led our basketball team to the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament in 1950. We were a better than average team but without John's leadership we could not have gone as far as we did. He was a star on the football team too and we shared pitching duties on the baseball team. In my humble opinion, I believe John is the best all-around athlete in Alexandria High School history. John and I shared other aspects of our lives. We were both confirmed in our faith by Dr. O.O. Gustafson from the Svea Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alexandria. We were both members of the Eagle Patrol in Boy Scout Troop 174. John was Patrol leader. After graduating from High School we shared a dorm room in Ytterboe Hall on the campus of St.Olaf College, Northfield during our freshman year. John beat me at cards too. After college we both entered the service and drifted apart. I think the last time I saw John we happened to bump into each other at an Alexandria Football game. We watched and talked. Then John and June moved west. I have attended numerous class reunions in hope of seeing him but health prevented him from attending. I wish I could have seen him one more time. I will miss him but remember "those days of our youth', He was a man of great faith. I know I will see him again, someday. May the Lord take him swiftly into his arms and grant him eternal rest Dennis Bergner. AHS, Class of 1950

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