Dwight Eugene Gustafson Jr.

Dwight Eugene Gustafson Jr., (“DJ” or “Gus”) 83, of Red Wing, died on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Valentines Assisted Living in Red Wing. The cause of his death was a brain lesion not fully identified. He was born in Chicago, IL on September 24, 1939 to Dwight and Josephine (Plachy) Gustafson. He graduated from Red Wing Central High School, class of 1957, and attended St. Olaf College, receiving a B.A. in Chemistry. Dwight married fellow “Ole,” Dianne Thompson, on September 2, 1960. They lived in Bloomington, where Dwight worked for Multi Foods International and 3M, before moving to Red Wing in 1966 and working for the family business, Red Wing Service Co. Dianne sadly passed away in 2002. Dwight met Arlene Stromback in a grief group and they married November 8, 2003. After retiring, he “worked” on his short game at Mississippi National Golf Links, golfing every day in the summer, often hitting his age or better. He always had a puzzle in progress, found solace in fishing at Colville Park, kept a list of books he read, with comments, enjoyed travel, (especially the planning part), loved food, and could lead anyone on the dancefloor. He was impish, often made up new words, and chuckled with mirth at bad-dad jokes.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene; four children, Anne E. Hansen of Robbinsdale, MN; Kari Berit Gustafson (John Chamberlain) of Enger, Norway, Steven Dwight (Samantha) Augustus of Randolph, VT, and David Erik Gustafson of Randolph Center, VT; eight grandchildren, Kristi Hansen, Andrew (Alyssa) Hansen, Erik (Wendy) Hansen, Mike (Jamie) Hansen,Tucker Nemcek, Davin Augustus, Noah Gustafson, and Daniel Gustafson; six great-grandchildren, Ashton, Carter, Wyatt, Everet, Harper, and Violet; one sister, Dolores Popowitz, and her daughters Susan (Andy) Geyer and Jennifer (Chris) Hallet.

Dwight is also survived by his step family, Steve (Mary) Stromback of Red Wing, MN, their daughters Amanda and Cara; and Mark Stromback of Minneapolis, his son Luke. In addition, he was considered Grandpa to Kari’s stepdaughter, Sheila-Mari Petersen of Oslo, Norway, and to Kari’s exchange son, Henrik Stangnes of Bardufoss, Norway.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dianne; and brother, Robert Gustafson.

Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023, at First Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Reverend Mike Zaske officiating. Arrangements by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be shared with the caregivers who cared for Dwight during his final days.