JoAnn (Nelson) Gustafson

PERKINS — JoAnn (Nelson) Gustafson, 78, of Perkins, passed away Friday morning March 30, 2018 at home. JoAnn was born Sept. 5, 1939 in Escanaba, the daughter of Rolf and Edna (Hardy) Nelson. She was raised in North Town, in Escanaba. JoAnn married the love of her life, Melvin Gustafson, on Oct. 26, 1957 and together they made their home and raised their children in Perkins.

JoAnn tended bar for Chums and The Village Inn and she was also the Trustee for Baldwin Township for 20 years from 1980 to 2000. She was a member of the Perkins American Legion Auxiliary Post #540 and she made afghans for many people.

In addition to her husband of 61 years, Melvin, survivors include, children, Donna (Bill) Hartman, Robert (Michelle) Gustafson, John (Keli) Gustafson and Sandra (Paul) Jacoby; grandchildren, Amy (Dan) Luebke, Jaime Hartman, Heidi (Eric) Baumann, Eric (Ashley) Gustafson, Lee Ann Ryan, Pamela (Greg) Peterson, Taylor Gustafson and Ric Rucinski; great-grandchildren, Paige Meyer, Brandon Meyer, Justin Luebke, Adalynn Baumann, Freya Baumann, Lindsey Gustafson, Axel Gustafson, Aiden Gustafson, Andrew Gustafson, Mason Ryan and Jackson Peterson; brothers, Thor (Linda) Nelson, William (Sharon) Nelson and Paul Nelson; sisters, Susan Binola, Lori Gallegos and Tami Frahm; and brothers-in-law, Lyle Godfrey and John Johnson.

In addition to her parents, her mother-in-law, Dorothy Gustafson; sisters, Carol Godfrey, Mary Johnson, Virginia Nelson; brothers-in-law, John Gallegos, Waino Binola, and John and Betty Mosier preceded JoAnn in death.

JoAnn’s family will receive friends to celebrate the life of JoAnn Gustafson on Monday, April 2, 2018 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Gladstone American Legion Post in Gladstone. She will be laid to rest at the Perkins Cemetery in the spring.

The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Gustafson family.

Please visit skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can express your sympathy to the family.