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Orville (Chummy) Gustafson, 75, West Fargo, ND, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, after battling small cell lung cancer as a result of Agent Orange exposure.
Orville Dale Gustafson was born December 4, 1946, in Langdon ND to Orville and Dorothy (Bourbanis) Gustafson of Cavalier, ND. He attended country school and graduated from Cavalier High School. He then moved to Fargo ND, marrying Norma Gray (Felix) 1966-1987 and moved to West Fargo. Chummy served in the U.S. Army with deployment to Vietnam in 1969-1970 as a helicopter repairman with the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne earning the ARCOM, four Bronze Service Stars, among other individual and unit awards.
In the summer of 1994, he met JoAnn Gustafson (Oien). On August 8th, 2018, they were married. Chummy worked for Fargo Iron and Metal in Fargo ND as a crane operator his entire career from 1964-2009.
Chummy loved spending time with family and friends and could always be found having gatherings at his home, often referred to as “The Garage.” It would be hard not to find him staying busy with side jobs typically involving his torch and welder. Always the prankster, he would go out of his way to get a laugh at the expense of others.
He is survived by his wife JoAnn Gustafson, daughters Rhonda (Frank) Schumm of Walcott, ND, Sara Sheppard of Dilworth, MN and son Shawn (Philan) Gustafson of Firestone, CO. Stepchildren Jayr (Jessica) Oien, Shawnray (Jamie) Oien, Ben Oien, Angela Oien and Jason Oien. Grandchildren Jeremia Gustafson, Brittany (Jon) Mark, Connor Walker, Kian Gustafson, and Neya Gustafson and four great grandchildren. Brothers Robert (Nancy) Gustafson and Dennis (Marcella) Gustafson. Sisters Julie (Don) Hagar and Loretta Landen. Including many other family and friends.
Chummy was preceded in death by his parents Orville Dorothy (Bourbanis) Gustafson; brothers Olaf and Ken Gustafson.
Celebration of Life: Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, N.D. at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour before the service.
Burial: Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Fargo National Cemetery in Harwood, N.D.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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