MONTEVIDEO – Violet Victoria Gustafson, age 101, of Montevideo, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Donald S. McKee officiating.

Violet was born on June 5, 1920, in Minneapolis, MN, to Godfrey and Ruth (Carlson) Pearson. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church. She was raised on a farm in rural Montevideo. Violet graduated from Montevideo High school in 1938, and earned her teaching certificate from Montevideo Teacher Training the following year. She later earned her B.S. degree in elementary education from St. Cloud State University.

Violet taught school for 41 years, including 25 years in Montevideo at Sibley Elementary and Ramsey Elementary. Before joining the Montevideo Public Schools she taught at rural School Districts 5,7, and 16. She had a passion for teaching. All her students (too many to count) were treated with dignity and respect. Just think of how many lives were influenced by Violet.

On September 7, 1947, she married Chester S. Gustafson at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo and they made their home on a farm close to Wegdahl in Sparta Township. She took a year off from teaching school after the birth of her son, Kenneth.

Violet loved her family, enjoyed being with them and sharing life experiences. Her grandson, Mike, and great-granddaughter, Kori, were the joy of her life. She was so proud of them. She also enjoyed her friends and neighbors, especially when they dropped in for“coffee”. She was an excellent cook and you never went away hungry or without delicious treats to take home. Her flower and vegetable gardens were a labor of love. She enjoyed watching the different variety of birds that would come to her feeders.

Violet was a faithful member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and served the Lord through her quiet, thoughtful presence. She would always say “God bless you” when you left.

Violet loved to travel and she and Chet went on many trips. For years they would attend Chet’s army reunion held in different parts of the United States. In the summer of 1980, Chet and Violet spent 3 weeks traveling in Sweden. They enjoyed visiting their Swedish relatives and discovering the birthplace of their ancestors. They talked of these trips for many years. After Chet passed away, Violet continued traveling, by taking numerous bus trips with teacher friends. In her lifetime, she visited 48 of the 50 states.

Throughout her life, Violet gave of herself so others could benefit. This was true with her family, friends, students, and her church.

Violet is survived by her son, Kenneth and his wife, Lois of Litchfield, MN; grandson, Michael and his wife Sarah, of St. Cloud, MN; and great-grandchildren: Kori, Alyssa (Jake), Ethan, Janessa, and Trevor; and great-great-grandchildren: Adilynn and Camryn; sister-in-law, Marlys Pearson of Montevideo and her daughters Catherine Graham and Suellen Davis as well as nieces and nephews.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, Chester; parents: Godfrey and Ruth Pearson; brother, Burnett Pearson; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Luther Haven Nursing Home Staff, Pastor Don, Pastor Bob, Pastor Marie and Hospice for their care and compassion.