Edna V. Gustafson

Edna Violet Gustafson, 97, of Belvidere, Illinois entered her eternal life on October 14, 2022, peacefully in her home surrounded by family.

Edna was born in Rockford, Illinois by a midwife on September 13, 1925. She grew up on a ten-acre rural farm on Michigan Ave. She was the first sibling of her family to learn to drive the Fordson tractor. She began working at the age of 16 at Nelson Knitting Company, knitting socks and left to teach dance at Arthur-Murray dance Studio. Later she worked at Barber-Coleman Company for about ten years. She always said her supervisor told her if all the men were to go to war, she would be in charge-she was very proud of that. She married Carl Gustafson on October 15, 1954, and he built her six different beautiful homes – from the ground up. Edna also took care of her sweet, handicapped sister, Mary Ann Brudnowski, for 45 years. She was a lifetime member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church. Edna was known for being the matriarch of her family and worked hard her whole life. She enjoyed baking Christmas cookies and cooking for her family.

Those left to honor her memory include sons, Brad (Lee Ann) Gustafson, John (Karrie) Gustafson; daughter, Denise (Alfred) Hebeler; grandchildren, Brittany Hebeler, Blake (Jessica) Hebeler, Hannah Gustafson, Alec Gustafson, Corbin (Nicole Ackerman) Gustafson, and Chloe (Griffin) Morelock. Edna was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Mary Brudnowski; her husband, Carl Gustafson; her brothers, Walter Brodeski, Stanley Brodeski, Anthony Brodeski, and Edward Brudnowski; sisters, Celia Krowczwk, Helen Smagowicz, Stella Hawkinson, Janet Berg, Agnes Ripley, Mary Ann Brudnowski and two brothers in infancy.

Private Mass and final resting place will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A special thank you to Dr. Dale Gray for his assistance and care for Edna during her life. The family would also like to acknowledge the care and support provided these past two weeks by the staff at St. Croix Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.