Mildred R. Gaustad

HOFF FUNERAL HOMES - HOUSTON CHAPEL 507-896-3127 HOUSTON, MINN. - Mildred R. (Thorson) Gaustad, 88, of Houston, Minn. died on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Gundersen - Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wis. surrounded by her family and Pastor Louise. Mildred was born on September 14, 1921, in Money Creek, Minn. to Charles E. and Ella Benson. Mildred was raised in Money Creek and Swede Bottom. She graduated from Houston High School. On July 22, 1939, she and Tenart O. Thorson went to Cresco, Iowa to elope. She and Tenart ran a roller skating business, pulling their portable roller skating equipment all around the Tri-state area to various community auditoriums. They later took up farming, purchasing the Moen farm adjacent to the Thorson home farm. Tenart died in 1964. In 1965, she married Clifford O. Gaustad. He passed away in 1989. She was active in the Stone Church in rural Houston and the ladies aid and choir there. She was currently a member of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Mildred was a 45 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Houston. In her spare time Mildred enjoyed farming, gardening, wildflowers, teaching her grandchildren how to bake, taking many pictures, and she kept a daily journal for over 45 years. Mildred is survived by three children: Nancy (Ray Bobson) Deshayes of Eagle Colorado, and her children: Paul (Tammy), Jon (Heather), Mark and Eric, Evonne (Dick) Snow of Houston, and their children: Laura (Joe Krage) Scanlan and Jenny (Mitch) Hahn, and Ted (Betty) Thorson of Houston, and their children: Angie (Chris) Frank, Summer and Adam (Amber Zenke); a daughter-in-law, Peggy Erkel-Thorson, and her children: Ken (Amy Kelly), Erica, Dolores (Ben Griffeth) and Scott; thirteen great-grandchildren; two brothers: Paul (Sharon) Wheaton of Houston and John "Pete" Wheaton of Sacramento, Cal.; and by special friends: Dorothy, Judy, and Lynn. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son, Larry Thorson, three sisters and one brother. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Houston Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Stone Church Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, Mildred's family prefers memorials to be directed to the Larry Thorson Scholarship Fund or to the donor's choice. Leave a memory of Mildred and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com