OBITUARY

Ethelyn H. Gustafson

Ethelyn H. Gustafson, 86, of Rapid City, died Tuesday, March 9, at Fountain Springs Health Care.

She was born May 13, 1923 in Wessington Springs, SD to Carl and Vesta (Aldred) Habicht. She graduated from Huron High School in 1941 and she received her fine arts degree in 1945 from Macalester College, St. Paul, MN. In 1952 she married Ronald Gustafson in Huron, SD. She was a partner with her husband and her sister in their family business, Habicht’s Department Stores, for over 50 years. She was President of the Huron YWCA, and she sang in the First United Methodist Church Choir and the Grace Episcopal Choir. She was a lifelong member of PEO.

Ethelyn resided in Rapid City from 1998 until her death. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, cooking, singing, classical music, bird watching and investing in the stock market.

Her parents, Carl and Vesta Habicht and her husband, Ronald, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Helen and (Steve) Flanery and her grandchildren, Mary Beth and Stewart Flanery, all of Rapid City, a son, Carl V. Gustafson of Baltic, SD and a sister, Helen Habicht, of Huron, SD.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 12, at 1:30 PM AT Emmanuel Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Rich Ressler officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Edstrom & Rooks Funeral Services at Serenity Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, SD 57702.

Friends may sign her online guest register and offer condolences at www.serenityspringsfuneralchapel.com.

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