Jane Elizabeth Gustafson, 87, of Burlington, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at her home with family by her side.
Born Aug. 12, 1935, in Eagle Grove, she was the daughter of Bruce and Ruth Middleton. On May 11, 1957, Jane married Warren D. Gustafson of Burlington. He died Aug. 20, 1998. Though she never remarried, in later years she found a special friend in Leonard Voss of Eagle Grove.
Jane was a 1953 graduate of Eagle Grove High School and a 1957 graduate of Iowa State University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and Omicron Nu scholastic honorary. In 1981 she earned her teachers certification at Iowa Wesleyan College.
She was employed by Gustafson’s Sunshine Dairy, Byerly Music, and Schramm’s Department Store. She also worked as a substitute teacher. Prior to her retirement in 1994, she was a Continuing Education Supervisor at Southeastern Community College.
As a young woman, she was active in Burlington Junior Women’s Club serving as Program Chair, Treasurer, President, and general chair of the 1967 Follies. She received the Outstanding Clubwoman award in 1967. She also served as a board member of SE Iowa Homemaker-Home Health Aid Service, YWCA, and Sunnyside PTA. She was an active member of BD Chapter of TTT Society, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae, Civic Music Association, Cancer Society, and Grace United Methodist Church. In later years she and her husband were long-time members of the Carthage Lake Club and Burlington Golf Club. She enjoyed golfing and bowling in the BGC leagues for many years. She enjoyed playing bridge and going to casinos. She was a supporter of Civic Music, the Southeast Iowa Symphony, and Players’ Workshop. Jane and Warren enjoyed singing with Bel Canto Chorale. She loved spending time with her family and was especially proud that her first grandchild was named Jane Elizabeth in her honor.
Survivors include two sons, Bruce Gustafson of Fort Madison, and Paul Gustafson of Centerview, Mo.; one daughter Ann Gustafson (Jim) Leach of Andrews, Tex.; two grandchildren Janey Leach and Brett Leach of Andrews, Tex.; three step-granddaughters of Fort Madison Stefany, Baylee, and Megan Gilman; three more step-grandchildren include Kelli (David) Morales of Battle Creek, Michigan, Greg (Marsha) Leach of Pleasanton, Tex., and Kayla (Evan) Orsak of Austin, Tex.; six step-great-grandchildren and step-sister Linda Peterson of Eagle Grove.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepfather Dicke Obe, and stepmother Thelma Middleton.
Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends. The funeral service will be Friday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Lunning Chapel with the Reverend Tamara Wirt officiating. Interment will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society and Grace United Methodist Church.