October 12, 1950 – December 12, 2025
Berndt Huntley Gustafson, aged 75, of Brimson died Friday, December 12, 2025 of B-Cell Lymphoma. He died at home without pain surrounded by his family.
He was born October 12, 1950, in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Gustav and June (Johnson) Gustafson. He grew up in French River and attended Clover Valley schools. He joined the US Army directly out of high school and became a Medic and Jump Master, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. He attended the College of St. Scholastica for several years on the GI Bill and later married Debbie Susan Male on June 29, 1974. Over the next three years they lived in Moose Lake, MN and Denver, CO before settling in Emily, MN where he raised his family until they moved to Trommald in 1996. He was a trained welder and gunsmith, a logger for the majority of his years, and also small scale farmer. He later worked for Brown & Wilbert and for Lakes Gas. He was a loving husband to Debbie and a wonderful father and grandfather. Berndt loved the woods, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the family cabin at Bassett Lake near Fairbanks, MN. His gentle, patient, and wise presence was a gift to all around him.
He is survived by his two sons: Bjorn Gustafson (Philip Faggiano) of Eagan, MN; Leif Gustafson (Melissa Gustafson) of Trommald, MN; Brother: Ted Gustafson of Brimson, MN; Sister: Elrose, “Pixie” Wright of Knife River, MN; Grandchildren: William Gustafson, Sven Gustafson, Emma Gustafson, and his great-grandchild, Matthew Starks.
He was preceded in death by his wife Debbie, brother Richard Gustafson, sister Linda Kiefer, and his parents and grandparents.
A springtime memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11AM at the Bassett Community Church, 1561 Town Line Rd., Brimson, MN, with burial of ashes following at the Basset Lake Cemetery. In lieu of black, the family requests those attending wear their best jeans and logger flannel or northwoods plaid. Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. To sign the online guest register please go to http://www.srtfuneral.com
