Leatsey J. Johnson Gustason

Gustason Burial Here-Mrs. Gustason, Near 90 Native of Blair, One of Few Pioneers Left

Mrs. Leatsey J. Gustason, head of a 48 member four-generation family, who would have been 90 years old on Sept. 5., died Saturday in Omaha from shock and complications following a broken arm, the fourth fracture she had suffered in recent years.

She died at 3509 Jackson St. in Omaha.

Mrs. Gustason’s death further thinned the dwindling ranks of true Washington County pioneers (those born here prior to March 1, 1867). Mrs. Gustason, as Leatsey Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Johnson was born Sept. 5, 1864 during the Civil War, on the present B. F. Lundt farm just south of Blair. Her birth occurred almost five years before the community of Blair was founded, and in those days her parents did their trading at old DeSoto, then a bustling community three miles to the southeast. She was the last surviving member of the Johnson family.

Here Most of Life

She and James Oscar (Jim) Gustason were married here in 1888, and lived in Blair many years. Mr. Gustason, a carpenter, died in 1917. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Gustason continued to live here, moving to Omaha only a few years ago.

Surviving the aged former Blairite are two son, Arthur D. Gustason of San Bernardino, Calif., and Vern J. Gustason of Gering, Nebr., both recent Blairites; and four daughters, Mrs. Ray Hewett (Pearl) of Blair, Mrs. Louie Jensen (Hazel) of Hamburg, Ia., Mrs. Thelma McNall and Mrs. John Sylvis (Lela), both of Omaha. There are 14 surviving grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~

Find A Grave Memorial#114961124