Eleanor Gustafson

Last week Eleanor was dancing with her friends at her home at Good Samaritan Village - Woodland. This week she is dancing in heaven with her long time dance partner and husband, Carl.

Eleanor R. Gustafson died Friday, January 17, 2014, at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. A memorial service will be held at Good Samaritan Village - Woodland on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Eleanor was born to Olivia and Charles Ortenstone on April 10, 1918 in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. She attended high school in Moose Lake, Minnesota and was trained in nursing at Augsburg College. She was a 2nd Lt. army nurse in World War II, where she served in North Africa, Italy, and France. Her army experiences were highlighted in a 2010 Brainerd Dispatch issue, which featured her as one of their "Everyday People". She had an extensive nursing career including Swedish Hospital, Red Cross, pediatrics, and school nursing.

Eleanor found great purpose and enjoyment in her life at Woodland: she cultivated flower and vegetable gardens; did volunteer work in the nursing home; served on the library, hospitality and garden committees. She was friends with a great many people there, both residents and staff.

Eleanor loved to dance. If music was playing, she was dancing - with whoever wanted to dance. She could dance well to any kind of music - be the first on the floor and the last.

Before her seven years at Woodland, she lived for 20 years on Lake Ossawinnamakee north of Brainerd and wintered in Apache Junction, Arizona. Previous to that she lived in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

She is survived by son Robert (Peggy) Gustafson of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; daughter Ruth Riha of Katy, Texas; and daughter Sue Hilmer of Brainerd, Minnesota. She has seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She was the youngest and only survivor of nine brothers and sisters.

Eleanor was an inspiration because of her joyous and caring nature, and appreciation of the life God gave her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.