Ione L. Gustafson

Ione Laverne Ekberg Gustafson was born June 25, 1932 in Mille Lacs County, MN to Hilding and Agnes Ekberg, one of eight children. Her older siblings were Lorraine, Lawrence “Bob”, Avis, Jerome and her younger siblings were Lois, Arliss, and Allan.

She moved to Rockford, IL in 1948 and married the love of her life, Eldon L. Gustafson on her 17th birthday in 1949. They were married for fifty-five happy years until his death in 2004. Together they had four children.

Ione, lovingly known to her family as “Mama Own” was dearly loved by her children: Duane (Barb) Gustafson, June (Scott) Lafferty, Patty (Mike) Carey, and Pam (Scott) Gustafson and her 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

“Mama Own” was known for her love of family and was the warm center of holidays and traditions, with delicious home-cooked food, hugs, laughter and tickles for all.

She loved the Lord and was a member of First Evangelical Free Church where she served in various roles over her lifetime.

She was an avid gardener alongside her husband and taught her children and grandchildren about planting and growing. She loved to crochet, cook, and play practical jokes.

Ione prayed daily for her 61 family members by name plus many others. She had an enormous and generous heart that radiated love and care for everyone she knew.

Ione lived a long, joyful life filled with family and friends. She passed peacefully in her sleep on the afternoon of November 11, surrounded by people she loved.

She will be missed by her family who are full of gratitude for the legacy of love she leaves behind.

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

The final resting place for Ione L. Gustafson is Sunset Memorial Gardens, located at 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice in Ione's name.