Eileen Lillian (Rothlesberger) Gustafson

RAMSAY, Mich. - Eileen Lillian (Rothlesberger) Gustafson, 93, a longtime resident of Ramsay, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019.

Eileen was born on April 5, 1926, in Wakefield, the daughter of Jacob F. and Lillian A. (Koski) Rothlesberger. She went to grade school in Puritan and high school in Bessemer, graduating from A.D. Johnston High School in 1944.

After graduation, Eileen worked at the Puritan Grocery Store for six months. Later she went to Detroit and worked at Excello's making parts for the U.S. Air Force.

Eileen came back to the area to marry her childhood sweetheart, John C. Gustafson. They were married on Nov. 30, 1946.

She was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield.

Eileen was an avid knitter and crocheter. Baking was secondary. She loved to spend time at the cottage. Raspberries were her best friend. A paint brush was always seen in her hands.

Eileen is survived by two sons, Curtis (Linda), Pleasant Lake, Wis., and Alan, Ramsay; two grandchildren, Toni (Paul Mason) Gustafson, Racine, Wis., and Bucky (Amanda) Gustafson, Ramsay; two great-grandchildren, Mariah and Eli Gustafson; and her special fur babies, Shiloh, Gizmo, Mia and Doug.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John, on Sept. 28, 1990; and her stepfather, Emil Kentala.

Cremation will take place, and there will be no funeral service.

Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, later this spring.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.