Leonard (Lenard) Joe Gustafson
1933 - 2022
 

The Hon. Leonard Joe Gustafson, P.C., M.P., Senator, late of Macoun, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the age of 88 at Mainprize Manor Health Centre, Midale, SK. He was born to Clarence and Theresa Gustafson on November 10, 1933, in Macoun, SK, the second of ten children.

Lenard is lovingly remembered by his wife of seventy years, Alice (nee Snider); children, daughter-in-law Joanne Gustafson, son Terry Gustafson, daughter Bona Jean (Bill) Ashbee, son Bently (Wendy) Gustafson, twelve grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren; siblings, sister-in-law Wanda Gustafson, brother-in-law Jack Lincoln, brother Floyd (Marlene) Gustafson, sister-in-law Lois Gustafson, sister Darlene (Dave) Easterly, brother Murray (Diane) Gustafson, sister Karron Hanses, brother Oral (Corrine) Gustafson, sister Judy (Randy) Sohnchen, and many nephews and nieces.

Len was predeceased by his son Jerry Gustafson, great-grandson Elijah Ashbee, brother Alvin Gustafson, sister-in-law Anne Gustafson, sister Lorraine Lincoln, brother Dwayne Gustafson, brother-in-law Mike Hanses, parents Clarence and Theresa Gustafson, and grandparents Peter and Amelia Gustafson and Christian and Anna Kleckner.

Len and Alice raised their family and farmed in Macoun. When Len’s parents and siblings moved to the State of Washington, Len and Alice remained on the farm and assumed his father’s building moving company. He served his community as the Reeve of Cymri Municipality. In 1979 Len was elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a Member of Parliament. He was subsequently re-elected as M.P. in 1980, 1984, and 1988. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney from 1984 to 1993. In May 1993 he was appointed by P.M. Brian Mulroney to the Senate of Canada. In 2009 he was appointed to the Privy Council for Canada on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Celebration of Life for Len was held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Macoun Evangelical Missionary Church with Pastor Charlie Bowen officiating. Interment took place at the Macoun Cemetery with a luncheon following at the church fellowship hall.

Len was a resident of Mainprize Manor for the last two years. The family is grateful for all the compassionate care the staff provided for Len.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Echo Lake Bible Camp, where Len attended with his family throughout his life. Donations may be mailed to Box 2174, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK, S0G 1S0, or made online at https://www.elbc.co/.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan cared for the Gustafson family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the love, prayers, and practical kindness shown to our family during this season. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by such a caring community. Every expression of sympathy has lightened our burden and eased the pain. May the Lord bless you. With love, Alice Gustafson and Family