Gus "Gus Gustaveson" Gustaveson

M. L. (Gus) Gustaveson, 81, of Island Park, Idaho, passed away September 9, 2010, at the home of his son, Roy Gustaveson, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, of natural causes. He was born November 12, 1928, in Ogden, Utah, to Hugo Elmer and Ruth Norlin Gustaveson. Gus, as he was known to his family and friends, was raised in the Logan area, where his parents owned various businesses, including the Old Juniper Lodge and Restaurant in Logan Canyon. While growing up, he enjoyed living and working in the area and told his family of memorable summers working as a ranch hand in the surrounding mountains. He attended schools in the Logan area and after high school signed up for the Army ROTC program and continued his education at Utah State University. This military commitment later led to serving his country in performing two tours of duty during the Korean War. After returning home from the conflict, Gus accepted a position as a professor of military science at The University of California Davis. During this time Gus met and married Janet Helen Claypool and they relocated to Blackfoot, Idaho, when he accepted a job with a startup company, at that time called American Potato. Shortly after arriving in Blackfoot, Janet passed away. While the Blackfoot facility was being built he spent time in Vacaville, California, at a sister company called Basic Vegetable, where he received management training in the onion dehydration business. When the Blackfoot plant started up, Gus held a variety of jobs, including human resources manager, packaging manager, and manager of operations. When the company decided to start up a shed to package and sell fresh potatoes, he took on the role of establishing the Sunspiced label as a nationally recognized brand for famous Idaho Potatoes. He took a newly purchased 1963 Ford Thunderbird on the road with samples of Idaho potatoes and visited nearly every state in the lower United States as he made contacts and developed relationships with many customers of the Sunspiced label. Gus was instrumental in developing many partnerships with the various growers, shippers, suppliers, and customers of both American Potato and Sunspiced over the years, often developing lifelong friendships in the process. He went on to become the President and CEO of the renamed company, now known as Basic American Foods. In 1997, he was inducted in the National Potato Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry. In 2003 he was honored with the prestigious Russet Aristocrat Award at the annual Idaho Growers Shipper convention in Sun Valley, Idaho. In 1964 Gus met and married Veneta Holm. Gus and Veneta made their home in the Blackfoot area, and also built a cabin in Island Park on Bills Island in the late 1960's. The cabin became a special place for the entire Gustaveson family and also for family friends. There were many work parties there, where his coworkers, friends and family got together to build and later enjoy the great atmosphere of the cabin. In 1980 a home was purchased near the Idaho Falls Country Club and this remained the primary residence of the family until Gus's retirement in 1990, when they moved into a new home in St. George, Utah. Gus is survived by his wife, Veneta, two sisters, Joyce (Dick) Rodman of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Carol (Ron) Stevens of Ogden, Utah, and a brother, Loyd (Judy) Gustaveson of Ogden, Utah, his children, Tracey (Jim) Sessions of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Clay (Sue) Gustaveson of Blackfoot, Idaho, Brian (Sharon) Gustaveson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jon Powell of Los Angeles, California, and Roy Gustaveson (Summer Sorenson) of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Also, 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m., both at Wood East Side. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park. Military Rites will be provided by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.

Funeral Services

11 a.m. ,Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m., both at Wood East Side. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park.