Martha Elizabeth "Betty" Gaustad

Martha Elizabeth “Betty” Gaustad, age 93, born on September 5, 1918, in Orange, Texas, went to the Lord on June 6, 2012 in Marble Falls, Texas. After graduating from Reagan High School in Houston in 1935, she went to work for a motor freight company until she became a full-time mother to a daughter and three boys. She returned to work as an industrial analyst when her children were all in school. Betty was a “Mom” to our large extended family, managing Thanksgivings and beach gatherings for dozens at a time. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Methodist Church and its Friendship class for over fifty years. She delivered Meals-on-Wheels well into her eighties. After the death of her husband, Robert Einar “Bob” Gaustad on February 14, 2010, she moved to Gateway Villa Assisted Living facility in Marble Falls, Texas. Betty is survived by her son, Terry Stephen Gaustad and daughter Dr. Carole Ann Buchanan and son-in-law Dr. H. Ray Buchanan, and sister, Nelle McLaughlin, as well as grandchildren, M. Stephen Buchanan, Lisa M. Sheffield-Gaustad, Rebecca R. Gaustad, James Ian Gaustad and Ashley R. Gaustad; and great-grandchildren, Summer G. Sheffield, Ava R. McClellen, William Daniel Guastad, Connor Robert Gaustad and Allison Katherine Gaustad, and loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents, Fannie B. and James Oliver, sons, Daniel R. and Thomas E. Gaustad, and grandson, C. Scott Buchanan, and her brother, Cdr. James A. Oliver. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Earthman Resthaven Chapel with the Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 a.m. The Graveside Service will be held the same day at 12:00 p.m. at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christopher Scott Buchanan Scholarship Fund, Greenhill School, 4141 Spring Valley Road, Addison, Texas 75001.