PHYLLIS L. GUSTAFSON

1928 - 2014

DeKALB – Phyllis Lynette Gustafson, 85, of DeKalb, Ill., passed away peacefully Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb, with her family by her side.
Born Sept. 16, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of Willard E. and Roseneia A. (Klayer) Phelps, Phyllis met the love of her life, Richard L. Gustafson, while attending Northern Illinois State Teachers College, DeKalb. They were married July 29, 1950, in Chicago.
She taught at Sycamore's West Elementary School seven years and 22 years in the Genoa-Kingston School District. The number of friends and students whose lives she touched are immeasurable. After her retirement from teaching in 1989, Phyllis and Richard traveled extensively around the world. She took the whole family on several vacations, making many happy memories. She was an avid bridge player, volunteered for Kishwaukee Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and The Federated Church in Sycamore.
Phyllis loved her family and was never happier than when she was surrounded by them for the many family celebrations that brought them all together. Phyllis lived her life for her family and raised her children with great love and compassion. Moments spent with Phyllis were sure to be fun, lively and entertaining. She embodied what it means to honor and cherish family and friends. To meet her was to know you were immediately part of her family and would always be welcomed by her.
Left to honor her memory are her loving daughters, Beth Gustafson of DeKalb and Sue (David) Finney of Sycamore; and grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Roach of Ingleside, Jaime (Chad) Davis of DeKalb, Melissa Rhodes (fiancé, Doug Remec) of Denver, Colo., and Nathan (Leona) Finney and Jacob (Kelsey) Finney, both of Sycamore.
Her heart grew even bigger with the addition of her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Laken, Lilly and Lane, and a great-grandson-to-be.
Phyllis's beloved sister, Rosalee Krueger, of Butlerville, Ind., and her brother-in-law, Dr. Glen Gustafson of Neenah, Wis., were always in her heart. Also surviving are four nieces and nephews, Kris, Bob, David and Jennie, who were as precious to her as her own children.
In her heavenly home, Phyllis will be joining her husband, Richard, who preceded her in death in 1999; parents, and other friends and family.
Phyllis's kind spirit and loving heart will be with her family always.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at The Federated Church, 612 W. State St., Sycamore, with the Rev. Dennis G. Johnson officiating, and a reception following the service. Private interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Sycamore.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Phyllis L. Gustafson Memorial Fund, sent in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.