Merle Jean Gustafson

With gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Merle Jean Gustafson announces her peaceful passing on July 5, 2026.

Merle was born on July 6, 1929, in Elgin, Illinois, to Ben and Marie (Genz) Bendewald. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1947 and earned her bachelor's degree with honors from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1951. While at Macalester, she met her classmate, Ronald "Ron" Gustafson. They were united in marriage on July 14, 1951, and shared nearly 75 years of devoted partnership.

Merle was a vibrant, affectionate, caring, and compassionate woman whose joyful zest for life touched everyone who knew her. She was deeply devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

As the wife of a Presbyterian minister, Merle was an active partner in Ron's ministry, serving alongside him in Wall Lake, Iowa; Mitchell and Huron, South Dakota; Worthington, Minnesota; and La Crosse, Wisconsin. She also built a meaningful career in social work, dedicating most of her professional life to serving children. She worked as a county social case worker and supervisor in Huron, South Dakota; served as a guardian ad litem and school social worker in Worthington, Minnesota; and founded and coordinated the children's program at New Horizons Shelter in La Crosse, where she served for seven years.

Music was one of Merle's lifelong passions. She sang in church choirs and directed children's choirs in Mitchell and Huron, South Dakota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin. In retirement, she pursued another lifelong dream by studying piano for ten years with her treasured teacher and friend, Charles Bonow, focusing on sacred and classical music.

Merle was an avid reader, enthusiastic crossword puzzle solver, a longtime member of AAUW and P.E.O., and an active participant in several book clubs. She also enjoyed attending her morning aerobics class at the YMCA. She and Ron delighted in traveling together. Their first retirement trip—a month-long journey through six European countries—was a cherished gift from the congregation of First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse.

Her deep and abiding faith began in childhood in a strong Christian home and remained the foundation of her life. She sought to live her faith each day by loving her family, serving others, caring for children through her profession, and actively supporting her church. Her hope was to leave the world a better place through kindness, compassion, and faithful service.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Constance Menke; and her brother, Rev. Donald Bendewald.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Ronald Gustafson; her son, Clark Gustafson of Owatonna, Minnesota; her son, Brad Gustafson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her daughter, Gaye Johnson of Grimes, Iowa; her daughter, Connie (Randy) Johnsrud of Rochester, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends whose lives she enriched.

A visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 a.m., both at St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in remembrance, gratitude, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Johnston, Iowa.