Jim was born in (Binghampton Township) Fingal, ND, to George and Alice (Dighton) Gustafson. He was raised on the family homestead farm until moving to Fargo and eventually Minnesota after the sale of the farm to relatives. Jim's school years were spent in Detroit Lakes, MN with his mother and two younger sisters Mary and Dorothy. He was an inquisitive, creative and ambitious young man, resourceful and hard working on behalf of his struggling fatherless family during the depression, wartime and "dust bowl" era. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. Jim was enlisted for a brief time in the US Army. He married Lucile Kepplinger of Verndale MN. on June 16, 1954 in Moorhead, MN. They had one child while attending the Valley City Teachers' College, earning their 2 year teaching certificates. They taught in ND one room school houses until the cold became too difficult to endure. Jim and Lucy moved West to Montana with Jim's mother Alice, their infant daughter, dear friends Harriet and her son Larry Torgerson, eventually all settling in Las Vegas, NV together. While seeking a teaching position, Jim was employed as a "repo-man" by a Las Vegas repossession company. His and Lucy's vibrant young lives were cut short by a fatal car accident while in route home to Fingal for an Easter visit to introduce their growing little family. This information has been provided through the late Torgerson family and Gustafson relatives over an amazing span of 55 years to the daughter of Jim and Lou.
Jim was born in (Binghampton Township) Fingal, ND, to George and Alice (Dighton) Gustafson. He was raised on the family homestead farm until moving to Fargo and eventually Minnesota after the sale of the farm to relatives. Jim's school years were spent in Detroit Lakes, MN with his mother and two younger sisters Mary and Dorothy. He was an inquisitive, creative and ambitious young man, resourceful and hard working on behalf of his struggling fatherless family during the depression, wartime and "dust bowl" era. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. Jim was enlisted for a brief time in the US Army. He married Lucile Kepplinger of Verndale MN. on June 16, 1954 in Moorhead, MN. They had one child while attending the Valley City Teachers' College, earning their 2 year teaching certificates. They taught in ND one room school houses until the cold became too difficult to endure. Jim and Lucy moved West to Montana with Jim's mother Alice, their infant daughter, dear friends Harriet and her son Larry Torgerson, eventually all settling in Las Vegas, NV together. While seeking a teaching position, Jim was employed as a "repo-man" by a Las Vegas repossession company. His and Lucy's vibrant young lives were cut short by a fatal car accident while in route home to Fingal for an Easter visit to introduce their growing little family. This information has been provided through the late Torgerson family and Gustafson relatives over an amazing span of 55 years to the daughter of Jim and Lou.
Inscription
Gustafson
Emil James 1933-1959
Lucille 1935-1959
Gravesite Details
Birth name Emil, went by Jim or James.
