By HDN Staff
J.K. GUSTAFSON
ENNIS J.K. Duke Gustafson, 86, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 at an Ennis manor.
A private interment in the Madison Valley Cemetery at Ennis will follow a memorial service held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Trinity Episcopal Church at Jeffers with the Rev. Jan Knox officiating.
Gustafson was born Dec. 24, 1913 at Kandiyohi, Minn. to William and Alice Gustafson. The family moved to Rapelje and Gustafson graduated from Baker High School. He played football at Montana State University.
After graduation, Gustafson worked for the Indian Agency in New Mexico.
In June 1944, Gustafson married Shirley Jeffers.
They moved to Havre in 1946 and joined the partnership with Dan O'Neill in the Havre Livestock Commission. They also ran the Auction Markets in Shelby and Glasgow.
Gustafson was an auctioneer, president of the Montana Auction Markets, national director of the Quarter Horse Association, and Quarter Horse judge. In 1962, Gustafson and O'Neill bought the Great Falls Livestock Auction and sold it in 1980. Gustafson also served on the advisory board at the MSU Scholarship Association.
Gustafson enjoyed skiing, fishing, hunting and golf. He was a member of the Algeria Shrine and belonged to the Shriner Horse Patrol in Great Falls.
Gustafson was preceded in death by his son, David; daughter, Greta; daughter-in-law, Vicki; brothers, Robert and Sid Gustafson; sisters, Margaret Mielke and Gertrude Barr.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Jeffers; son, Gary Gustafson of Ennis; son-in-law, Dick Siess of Bozeman; brothers, Raymond of Conrad and Bill of Great Falls; sister, Audrey Roth of Great Falls; six grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Gustafson College Fund, c/o Madison Valley Bank at Ennis, Trinity Episcopal Church at Jeffers or to one's choice.
K&L Mortuaries of Ennis is in charge of arrangements.
