Arek William Gustafson

Arek William Gustafson was born on June 3, 2014 and at 6 ¾ years old he gained his angel wings on March 22, 2021. Arek was surround by his momma, daddy, close family and hero friends/neighbors.

Arek loves life and lives everyday to it’s fullest. He’s smart beyond his age, witty, has an incredible sense of humor. If you had the honor of knowing or meeting Arek, you knew you were beyond lucky. He cares about everyone and wanted the best for everyone, especially his “baby” brother Ivan.

His days were filled with his “special people” from his momma and daddy, big brothers Ethan and Owen, little brother Ivan, Ms. Shelli and his daycare family and his 1st grade virtual family at Steele Elementary. Stays with Pop and Grandma, visits with cousins, looking forward to Grandma Goul’s special surprises, “talking it up” with Grandpa Terry, neighborhood friends who he had the best bicycle rides and good conversation with.

We all admired Arek-each day was packed with all the things he loved as of course there is no time to waste. You might hear Arek ripping on the dirt bike trails with his KTM 50, swinging and singing on the playset, jumping on the trampoline, making multiple trips out to the barn to ride his bicycle, “borrowing” a few tools from daddy to build a special invention, watching hours of YouTube (even when momma and daddy reminded him that he had probably had too much) to figure out how to build his next lego creation or what is the fastest remote control car you can buy since daddy made a promise for good grades.

We will miss all of him—his beaming smile, his night time tuck ins and him deciding who he wanted (and us both secretly hoping we would be the one to tuck him in), bath time with Ivan, daddy’s barn buddy, Momma’s Biggby and magic milk on the weekends, sledding with his big brother Owen, playing commando with Ethan, wrestling with little brother Ivan, morel mushroom hunting with mommy, camping and trail rides and treating ourselves to crab legs per Arek’s request.

I will never forget him saying “no momma, I love you more” when I would tuck him in at night, I now know that he can see just how far and wide I love him.

When you ask Arek what superpower he would like to have he would say “to control the Earth.” You better get ready, cause I think we are in for a ride.

From daddy:

Arek Gustafson

My hero

Arek is a truly fun loving boy! He loved school, Arek was in first grade at Steele elementary and his teacher, Amanda DeMott was a hero to him. Arek spent his days with some amazing people his grandma Cindy, his buddy and daycare provider Shelli Riley and the greatest teachers. School was not a chore, he loved it, but when Arek was done for the day he was ready to play! Arek “Lived Life”!

He loved to go extreme sledding and play in the snow, most often with his bigger brother Owen. Arek had a gift and a passion for building and creating things in the shop with help from mommy and daddy. Arek’s big brother Ethan had all the cool stuff and they would play commandos and have sword fights. Arek is his little brother Ivan‘s protector and best buddy. They would wrestle and play trucks all the time!

Arek is a passionate boy, whenever he finds something that he enjoys he gives it 110%! He loves to play Nerf, create things with Legos, learn from YouTube, RC cars, camping and probably the most… Dirt bikes. Arek started riding when he was two years old against all of his grandmothers better judgment. Over the years he had several riding buddies. First daddy, then mommy, then Justin… His big brothers and many more.

His passion for all of these things, of course, had to include the gear! The coolest and most colorful riding gear, the biggest batteries for RC cars and his ranger… He “YouTubed“ how to convert his power wheel to 24 V and with daddy‘s help he did it… Mods are very important!!

Arek likes, no… Loves pranks! Like safety pinning all of daddies undies together or putting tape in your shoes when you weren’t around. He likes to sweetly pick on mommy and daddy about who gets to tuck him in. “Ummmmm mommy… No, daddy”! Then giggles but reassure you that if you lost you could do it tomorrow.

Arek will be missed and remembered always.

His family and friends who are left to keep telling Arek the Incredible stories is his momma and daddy, Tamah and Matt Gustafson; his brothers, Ethan, Owen, Ivan; grandparents Roger "Pop" and Cindy Gustafson, Terry and Lana Goul, Lorraine Goul and Tim Little, Sonny and Linda Abbott, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved him very much. He will be missed every single day by all who loved him.

A visitation will be held on Friday April 2, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday April 3, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the family home, 1234 Christian Way, Mason, MI 48854.

Arek's funeral service will follow the visitation on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the family home.

Burial will take place after the service at Maple Grove, Mason, MI.

Arek's family asks that all who are attending to please dress in comfortable, colorful clothing. Arek loved wearing sweat pants and bright colors.

If you would like to donate to one of Arek's favorite places...Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan please visit his go fund me page:

https://gofund.me/f9abf4f1.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grbdmason.com for the Gustafson family.