Dianne Lynn Gustafson

Our beloved wife and mother, Dianne Lynn Gustafson, passed away while at home surrounded by a few of her cherished things- her crafts, her work, one of her favorite snacks, her German Shepherd, and her nail-care pouch.

Dianne was born on November 7, 1960 to her parents Rose and William Hoitsma whom she now joins in Heaven. Throughout her life she reflected on her youth, promising that growing up in South Holland, Illinois during the 70’s was the best experience anyone could have. After graduating from Thornwood High School in 1979, Dianne went on to study radiology technology at University of St. Francis; a field in which she would go on to earn her masters degree. In 1982, Dianne began working at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Illinois and would often remark that these were some of her most fun and formative years. It was at this same hospital that she met her husband of 36 years, George Carl Gustafson. Dianne and George first learned that they were a compatible, brilliant, and hardworking team while tackling patient cases and saving lives, together. The two quickly actualized their chemistry and began dating in 1983. They fell in love, traveled the world together, and married on July 28, 1989. From the day they met, they have been best friends and partners in life, friendship, and family.

Despite accomplishing so much prior to beginning her family, Dianne would frequently say her real life began when she had children. After giving birth to Krista Gustafson in 1993, Katrina Gustafson in 1995, and Carl Gustafson in 1997, Dianne spent the rest of her days being a loving, devoted, godly, supportive, and selfless mother. Notably, Dianne shared that being a mom to these three was her “favorite and most important job”. Her children were her pride and joy, and nothing brought her greater satisfaction than their peace, happiness and personal accomplishments.

Dianne was known as “Momma G” to countless kids from her children’s school and sports, as well as the “craft mom”, around their family neighborhoods in Tinley Park, Illinois, Burr Ridge, Illinois, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. From youth into adulthood, her children were blessed by their mother’s love to plan craft days, coordinate family events, and make even the most mundane of times spent together meaningful and magical. Dianne filled the Gustafson homes with love, strength, and happiness. She did absolutely everything for her family and she genuinely loved doing, so.

She is fondly remembered by her generosity, joyfulness, and incredible ability to make friends wherever she went. Within a short number of minutes she would learn about someone’s life and truly care about their struggles, families, or circumstances. Without even a second thought, she wore her huge and unwavering heart on her sleeve, offering love to all those around her.

Dianne is also warmly remembered for her numerous hobbies and endearing sweet tooth. No one loves chocolate and Splenda more than her; and nobody enjoys a craft or project like Dianne. Her specialty was making glass etches, water bottles, cards, pop-ups, tumblers, ornaments, shirts, welcome mats, personalized gifts, and just about anything else for her friends, family, and anyone her kids asked her to create something for. In recent years, Dianne spent a great deal of time working on new ideas, jokingly sharing that crafting was her therapy. However, putting her creativity into action to make gifts for those she loved represents only a small part of her sweet and gracious spirit. Those who know her understand how difficult it is to comprehend that a person could have such boundless and true generosity. She lived for others and for her family above all else.

Dianne was a tiny woman with an enormous impact. She was a ferociously protective wife and mom; a fiercely loyal friend; and an incredibly independent, smart, and determined woman. Famously she would say, “if you’re not going to do something right, don’t do it at all” and she did just about everything, right. The word “no” was not in her vocabulary, she just happily did anything for those who needed her. Dianne loved signing in the car, making her adult children their favorite foods to keep their homes stocked, chatting with her friends or kids, and spending time with her family- whether it was on vacations or running errands. Her nails were always perfectly done, her vibrant blue eyes sparkled behind her long eyelashes, and she loved to elevate her fabulous style with sparkly jewelry- or what she called her “bling”.

Dianne Lynn Gustafson will be remembered in the hearts of her husband and kids, George, Krista, Katrina, and Carl Gustafson; her brothers Robert and William Hoitsma; the families of her nephews Jake, Robert Jr., and Eric Hoitsma; her work family; and the unbelievable amount of friends she had and people whose life she enriched.

Dianne will be desperately missed by all those that she has left behind and we will love her, forever. Our hearts are so broken by this unexpected loss and we will carry her with us each day. She was a beautiful person and one of a kind woman; to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

Her Christian Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Sunday February 1, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Swan-Law Funeral Directors in Colorado Springs, Colorado.