Wilma Ellen Gustafson

Wilma Gustafson passed away peacefully at 9:30 a.m. on December 10, 2015. She was 90 years young. Wilma is survived by her daughter Sheila Gowin (Frank) of Berthoud, and four sons Daryl (Cathy) of Bozeman, MT; Dennis (Deb) of Shelton, WA; Dan (Debbie) of Belgrade, MT; and Doug (Chris) of Phoenix, AZ. In addition, there are 12 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ellsworth “Bud,” son Michael, and Great Grandson, Sage. Wilma was born in Adams County, Iowa, February 8, 1925 to Vern and Jesse Hanson, the youngest of seven children. She moved to Vernonia, OR, with her parents in 1941. She completed high school in Vernonia where she played for a championship basketball team. After graduation Wilma moved to Portland where she worked as an operator for Pacific Telephone Company. She met Bud when he returned from World War II. Bud’s sister, Odette was married to Wilma’s brother, Ralph. They fell in love and were married April 4, 1947. The couple moved to Tillamook, OR, where Bud found work with the Trask Lumber Company. Three children, Daryl, Dennis, and Dan, were born there. In 1954, they moved to Belgrade, MT, where Bud and two of Wilma’s brothers helped build the Yellowstone Pine sawmill. The family lived in Belgrade for 20 years and expanded with the births of Michael, Sheila, and Doug. When all the children were in school, Wilma worked for Montana State University, then with Summit Engineering, a start-up company that built circuit boards. In 1974, the couple and their two youngest children moved to Fort Collins. Wilma found work with Hewlett Packard until she retired. After Bud passed in 2008, she sold their home and took an apartment in The Worthington, where she made many friends. Wilma often said that her greatest joy in life came from family. She is greatly loved by them all. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, Fort Collins, followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Larimer County Food Bank, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526.