Mary Catherine Gustafson, age 70, a resident of Manitowoc was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, September 10, 2022 while at home in hospice care following a seven-year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
Mary was born on August 15, 1952 in Escanaba, Michigan to Phyllis (Young) Hirn and the late Frederick Hirn. She grew up in Wausau and graduated from Newman High School and later North Central Technical College. Mary then moved to Manitowoc after her marriage to her husband, Guy Gustafson on July 1, 1972. Mary and Guy celebrated 50 years of marriage just two months ago. She retired in 2016 from her career in medical records at the Reed Avenue Manitowoc Clinic.
Mary will be remembered as a woman who loved people and loved life. She was creative and artistic, often hand-crafting keepsakes for those she treasured. Mary strove to be a servant to those in need and she was a friend to those who needed friendship in good times and bad. The world will truly be at a loss without her warmth and compassion for others. Her love for people was only exceeded by her love for God and His Son, Jesus, who helped her daily to cope and live with her illness. Mary was never angered, depressed or discouraged by her diagnosis and celebrated her life every day, the best she could, with love and laughter.
Survivors include Mary’s devoted husband of 50 years, Guy; son, Mark (Lisa) Gustafson; mother, Phyllis Hirn; four siblings, Jean (Mark) Denfeld, Fred Hirn, Tom (Polly) Hirn, and James Hirn; a special friend, Cordell Barnes; sister-in-law, Diane (Bernie) Bluhm; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear neighbors. She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick; brother, Charles (Mary) Hirn; brother-in-law, Mark Denfeld; and nephew, Guy Bluhm.
Memorial services will be held at Noon on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. A luncheon will then be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at Noon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Mary’s name.
Thank you to all the family and friends who reached out and encouraged Mary over the years of dealing with her illness. She cherished your messages of hope, strength, and love. A special thank you to Nicole, Michelle, Rosie and the rest of the caregivers at HomeCare Health Services & Hospice for their love and care of Mary in the late stages of her illness. Also, thanks to the staff of Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home for their kindness, sympathy and service.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
