Dennis W. Gustafson

Dennis Wesley Gustafson, 71, of Kearney, died Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Graveside services will be Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Moses Hill Cemetery near Holdrege with Pastor Brad Gustafson officiating. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Cards will reach the family in care of Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney, P.O Box 777, Kearney, NE 68848. Denny Gustafson was born in Holdrege, Nebraska on January 15, 1944. He was the firstborn of Wesley LaVerne Gustafson and Lenore Ellen Hendricks, who were missionaries and had several pastorates with the Evangelical Free Church of America. When he was two, Denny traveled with his parents to China. They returned to the states when Denny was four. Growing up as a minister’s child, Denny lived with his family in Chicago, California, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He has three siblings: Nancy Maitzen, Doug Gustafson, and Julie Jeffery. He graduated from Fullerton Union High School in Orange County, California in 1962. And it was in high school where Denny met his first love . . . motorcycles. He also met his (first and only) wife Beki (Seal) in California. They married in 1969 and spent 15 years together. They had two children, Benjamin Wesley and Isaac Dylan. In 1975, Denny graduated from Harley Davidson Mechanical School in Milwaukee. After graduation, Denny moved his family back to Nebraska and worked on a family farm. The following year he moved to Kearney and worked in various shops, garages, roadsides, living rooms, and backyards in a lifelong quest for the perfectly tuned motorcycle. In 1978, Denny facilitated the first Narcotics Anonymous meeting in the state of Nebraska. He was pivotal in the development of NA within the region and helped bring many folks to sobriety. Denny stopped working on bikes in the 80’s, but continued to ride for the rest of his life. He collected knives and did some leatherwork and painting, but mostly Denny loved riding his Harley and spending time with his family and friends. He will be remembered by many as the sponsor who brought them to sobriety, a good road partner, a good friend, a great dad, the best grandpa and great grandpa. Denny was loved by everyone who knew him… Right now he's on the fastest cycle, on the windiest road, with a huge smile on his face... and no helmet. You will be sorely missed Grandpa Tattoo...Dad. Love you. Dennis is survived by his sons, Ben Gustafson and his wife Heidi of Kearney, Isaac Gustafson and his wife Melissa of New Baden, IL; sisters Julie Jeffery and her husband Rick of Holdrege, NE, Nancy Maitzen and her husband Curtis of Garden Grove, CA; brother Doug Gustafson and his wife Denise of Holdrege, NE; grandchildren Elias Gustafson and his wife Cycelie Gustafson, Solomon, Dylan, Abbigaile, Jordan, Samuel Gustafson, Morgan “Abe”, Matilda, Molly, Maggie; great grandchildren Lyla and Rhythm Gustafson; and many nieces and nephews Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Sven Gustafson, and nephew Abraham Gustafson. PDF Printable Version

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Dennis W. Gustafson

January 15, 1944 - May 5, 2015