Sandra Rae (Garlow) Gustafson, age 83, went to be with her Lord on Oct. 17, 2019, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer). She passed while at home, under the care of her daughters and Ascension hospice.
Sandy was born July 3, 1936, to the late William and Alice (Scheller) Garlow in Spirit Falls, Wisconsin. She attended Spirit Falls grade school and graduated from Rib Lake High School. She worked for dentists McFarland and Hounds after graduation. She married Willard Gustafson on Jan. 5, 1957, in Tomahawk and moved to Harlingen, Texas, where Willard was stationed in the Air Force. From there they were stationed in Kansas, where they lived until moving back to Wisconsin.
After becoming a mother to three daughters, she became a full-time homemaker and did sewing and alterations for many people in the community. Later, she was employed at Denny’s Restaurant, and then at Richard Reilly, DDS office in Prentice. She was very active in Trinity Lutheran Church, especially enjoying making quilts for missions. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and sharing stories of their antics.
Sandy is survived by her husband – Willard Gustafson of Tripoli; three daughters – Jody (Steve) Isaacson of Tripoli, Heidi (Mike) Blomberg of Somerset & Sheree (Decon) VandenHeuvel of Rhinelander. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren – Joshua (Brenda) Isaacson and Zachary (Katina) Isaacson of Prentice, Kara (Kyle) Petrashek of La Crosse, Ashley (Jake) Lee of Amery, Jordan (Aliana) Blomberg of Clear Lake, Dylan (Natasha) Blomberg of Rice Lake, Austin (Eileen) Blomberg, stationed in Germany, Shauna (Travis) Drossart of Lake Tomahawk, and Jenna (Eric) Toms of Rhinelander; and by 18 great-grandchildren. Sandy is further survived by her sister – Dixie (Andy) Zastrow of Tomahawk.
Sandy is preceded in death by her parents – Bill & Alice Garlow, in-laws – Frank & Flora Gustafson, and nephews – Craig Zastrow, Terry Gustafson & Kenneth Gustafson.
The Funeral Service for Sandy Gustafson took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019 at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Prentice. Burial immediately followed the service in Clifford Finnish Cemetery. Visitation took place at Krueger Family Funeral Home, Tomahawk, on Monday, Oct. 21, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Visitation continued at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.
Krueger Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements. You may view the full obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.