November 9, 1934 - November 22, 2020
Born November 9th, 1934 in Perry Siding, BC. He passed away peacefully on November 22nd, 2020 in Williams Lake. Survived by his children Bev (Daryl), Kerry (Janice), Daryl (Tamara). Grandchildren: Jason, Jeremy, Jennifer, Dylan, Trevor, Laura and Patrick. Great grandchildren: Hayden, Tiera, Reid, Erica, Maddex, Scottie, Quaid, Lillianna, Bronson and Georgia. Surviving sister/brothers: Ella, Vi, Al (Sharon), Alice, Glen and numerous nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his wife Jane, his parents Henry and Olga Gustafson, as well as his brother Emil.
Kurt grew up on a farm in Perry Siding, BC. Upon graduation he attended a vocational school for auto mechanics in Nanaimo, BC.
He then moved to Burns Lake to work for Burns Lake Motors where he met his wife Jane. They got married in North Battleford in 1957. After they were married, they moved to Slocan where they started their family. His children Bev, Kerry and Daryl were all born in Slocan.
Kurt moved back to Burns Lake in 1963. He then moved to Williams Lake in 1967 and began working at Williams Lake Motors. Soon after moving to Williams Lake, Kurt's entrepreneurial drive took over and he bought the Texaco located at the "Y". After a few years he moved up the hill to open Gustafson's Auto. First opening as an automotive shop and automotive store.
In the early 1980's, Kurt and his son Kerry, opened the Dodge Dealership, then adding the Mazda Dealership which has now become Kia. Kurt worked extremely hard along both his sons (Kerry and Daryl) to make this a successful business in the community of Williams Lake. He was so proud of this Dealership which was his second home.
Kurt worked endless hours, countless weekends and had an impeccable work ethic. His job was his passion, so it never seemed like "work" to him. He loved what he did and could talk "shop" for hours on end. He was "Mr. Fix it". Kurt always had advice to everyone coming in the shop to fix things. He wanted to make his customers happy.
Kurt never really retired. He was at Gustafson's Kia nearly every day where you would find him reading the paper, sipping coffee, taking quick naps and making sure everything was running smoothly. Kurt also had a green thumb and cultivated the most amazing garden on Sutton Road.
He was passionate about many things which included gardening, making weights and down rigger balls for the fishing resort at Shearwater, reading, hockey and his grandchildren. Kurt loved his home on Sutton Road.
We want to thank the care aides who took such good care of him and made it possible for him to be able to continue to live comfortably at his home. Kurt fought a long and hard battle and did so very courageously. To everyone that had the pleasure of knowing Kurt, you may find comfort knowing that he is at peace.