Rogene Gustafson

Rogene Gustafson 1936 ~ 2011 Rogene Catherine Gustafson, born September 6, 1936 to Bernadine and Roger Bissekumer in Rockford, IL, died in her home in Boise, ID, May 14, 2011. Rogene graduated West High School in 1954 and went on to graduate from St Anthony X Ray Technology School in 1956. That same year, she married her husband, Bob Gustafson, in April. They were married 42 years until Bob was taken by lung cancer in 1998. They moved from Rockford to Medford, OR, where they lived for 3 years. Rogene worked in a medical office there. Bob was then transferred to Reno, NV, where Rogene again worked in a medical office until the birth of her daughter, Rae Ann. Bob was again transferred to Twin Falls, ID, where son John was born. There, she was a stay-at-home mom raising her much-loved young children. In 1968, the family moved to Boise, ID. Rogene worked for Idaho Food Products and was later a sales representative for Keebler Cookies and Robins Brokerage. During her time with Robins, she earned Salesperson of the Year from Associated Foods in 1991. She worked hard and was very proud of this achievement. After Rogene retired she got involved with the downtown YMCA Arthritis Aquatics group. She enjoyed it so much she took the training to become a certified teacher of the class. This class and this group of people became her passion and her family. They have taken care of each other for years. In 2006, she was awarded Volunteer of the Year. Rogene also enjoyed her neighborhood family in the North End where she lived for 40+ years. She hosted several neighborhood potlucks and started a tradition of Easter Bunny footprints going around the neighborhood to the homes of any children living there on Easter morning. Rogene adopted 2 young families as her own over the years: Bud and Cheryl Broderick and their sons John, Tom, Riley and Casey; Katie Place and her children, Marde Jo and Marshal. Rogene is survived by daughter Rae Ann of Mill Valley, CA, and son John and his family, Mary Pat, Nick and Kyle of Tigard, OR. She is also survived by her sister, Mickey Lichtfuss, in Elgin, IL. Husband Bob passed away in 1998. Rae Ann wishes to acknowledge the staff of Four Rivers Hospice, particularly nurse Debbie Jensen and CNA Stacy Heiberg. All gave so much help, time and attention. Mom's wish to transition in her home could never have been achieved with out Hospice, Diane Ferguson for all her help, and her house keeper and friend Matilda Overbey. Thank you. A memorial will be held Thursday, May 19, at 4.00 pm with a small reception following at Summers Funeral Home, downtown Boise. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity or the Boise YMCA Arthritis Aquatics.