Katherine M. "Kathy" Gustafson

Katherine M. "Kathy" Gustafson went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 20, 2026, following an extensive Alzheimer's journey. Kathy was born on December 8, 1938, in Chicago, IL, to Colin (DDS) and Elizabeth MacIver, the youngest of 3 children. After some time, her family relocated to Claremont, N.H., where Kathy played the French Horn in the Stevens High School Band and made many friends, even though her home life was difficult. Upon graduating from Stevens in 1956, Kathy attended nursing training in Concord, N.H. During training, Kathy went on a blind date with an Air Force pilot from Pease AFB. That date led to others, and eventually, Kathy and Gus married on December 27, 1959, and remained married for nearly 63 years before Gus's untimely accidental death in November, 2022. Gus and Kathy were the proud parents of John and Mark. Kathy was the epitome of an Air Force officer's wife during the 1960s and early 70s. She continually held the fort down, raising the boys while Gus was often away, either on alert, finishing his college degree in Omaha, performing TDY assignments, or remotely stationed in Thailand for a year during the Vietnam War. Kathy's nursing background became a lifeline for Gus after he suffered a near-fatal heart attack at the young age of 41. Bypass surgery was uncommon in 1976, but Kathy made sure Gus received the best care. Kathy spent many years in the Fort Worth area working as a nurse at Miller Brewery, TCU, and occupational health clinics. Kathy's infectious personality and persistence allowed her to enroll numerous business clients for the clinics while making new friends along the way. It seemed as if everyone knew Kathy, and Kathy made sure to steer all of her friends and others in need to the best doctors and medical care in town. Helping others, conducting flu shot visits, and keeping Gus running were her life's missions. Kathy had a deep faith in Jesus, and Gus and Kathy were very active in the churches they attended during their marriage. They often helped others in need, including more than a few cats. Kathy led a very vibrant life until the onset of her disease and touched many lives along the way. Kathy is survived by her sons, John (Anita) and Mark (Sherri), grandsons Sam, Grant, and Kyle, granddaughter Arianna Tivis, and a great-grandson, Troy, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved Dalmatian, Missy. 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." Services: She will lie in state from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 E. Main Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. A memorial service is pending on June 9, 2026, at Meadowridge Church in Fort Worth.

Katherine M. "Kathy" Gustafson

December 8, 1938 - May 20, 2026