Service: A Celebration of Gus’s Life will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026 from 4-6 p.m., at the Hiawatha Golf Course, Canton, SD. A time of remembrance/music will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Service: Burial of Gus’s cremated remains will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.
Richard “Gus” Gustafson, age 81, died peacefully Wednesday, October 14, 2026 surrounded by his family at the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage. A Celebration of Gus’s Life will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026 from 4-6 p.m., at the Hiawatha Golf Course, Canton, SD. A time of remembrance/music will begin at 5:00 p.m. Burial of Gus’s cremated remains will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage.
Richard LaRoy Gustafson was born on December 3, 1944 in Watertown, SD to LaRoy and Corrine (Bossen) Gustafson. He graduated from Hayti High School in 1962. After graduation, he proudly served his country in the US Army from 1962-1966. Gus was blessed with a son, Stephan, with his first wife, Petra. Gus married Linda Thompson on August 1, 1970 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls before moving to Canton in 1974. The couple has lived in Harrisburg since 2017. Sheri and Dawn were born to this union.
Gus worked at L & L Motors from 1970 – 1984 and Morman Feeds from 1984 – 1993. He drove truck for Action from 1993 – 2005 and finished his career driving for Johnson Feed Inc. until his retirement in 2022. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed camping, especially at Lake Madison, snowmobiling in his younger years, traveling, watching the History channel, spoiling his dogs, and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. He always made each grandkid feel special, loved singing them birthday songs, and had nicknames for all of them.
Gus is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda; son Stephan (Karin) Gustafson; daughter, Dawn (Jeff) Jacobs; grandchildren, Ashley (Cordell), Jessica (Brett), Caleb (Shannon), Alexander (Zoe), Trinity (Josiah), Kaylee, Sophia, and Marissa; 5 great-grandchildren; his beloved dogs, Fern and Sully; along with numerous extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Sheri.
Linda (chopper) & Dawn & family, I’m so sad reading about Gussy’s passing. I wish I was good at words but at times like this there just aren’t any. We made so many memories over the years. Going to the Harrisburg corner,( Scotty’s,) Gus loved to dance, snowmobile trips, getting together at the Black Angus and many more.
Please know I’m thinking of you wish I could take some of the sadness away. You all have your own special memory with Gus let those memories bring a smile and warmth to your heart in the coming days and in the future.
Sending a hugs♥️
So many years of memories! I cherish them all. He gave it all he had till the very end.
Linda and family. we are so sorry to learn of Gussy passing. so many memories. sending hugs and prayers. Mac and Carol McEntee
so sorry to hear about Gus Linda I always enjoyed visiting with him when out on the road thoughts and prayers 🙏🙏 for you and your family
OH I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR GREAT LOSS. RICH WAS SUCH A GREAT FRIENDLY MAN, ALWAYS SO NICE TO ME AND TO EVERYONE.. MAY GOD COMFORT LINDA AND ALL OF THE FAMILY.
Linda and family, I am so sorry to hear of Gus passing away. He was quite the guy and I always enjoyed visiting with the both of you. I will miss his smiling face. I am thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
Linda, Dawn, Stephan & Family, We were so sad to hear of Gus’s passing. He was a great guy and we all enjoyed working with him at Johnson Feed. Gus will be dearly missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. God bless you!
With Love and Deepest Sympathy, All your Friends at JFI
So very sorry for this huge loss! I’ll always remember Gus as a man with such a huge personality with lots of fun thrown in! Sending love and prayers to all of you during this extremely sad time and beyond!
Linda and family we are very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff and Lawana Gramm (campground)
great guy and will be missed alot
Linda and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I always looked so forward to giving Gus a hard time (and he gave it right back) at the Keystone conferences.
Cherish all you memories as now they are treasures.
Cindy Nichols
Thank you Cindy. He always looked so forward to those conferences every year!
So sorry for your loss. Gus and Linda were real fixtures inn the campground.
Brett, Jessica and family
Our deepest sympathy to you. Remembering in our prayers.
Connie & Dennis Post
Our sympathy and prayers to the family of Gus. Gus & Randy worked together at JFI & also enjoyed visiting together when they weren’t trucking. May your memories bring you in comfort in the days ahead.