1967 - 2026
Kurt G. Gustafson, 59, of Kewanee, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. He was born June 18, 1967, the son of Keith “Buck” and Georgia (Farrell) Gustafson in Kewanee. He graduated with the class of 1985 from Wethersfield High School. He married the love of his life, Carrie DeBord, on August 25, 1990, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee; she survives.
Kurt is also survived by daughters, Alexandra (Jon) Lindbom of Kewanee and Courtlin Gustafson of Kewanee; grandchildren, Reese Lindbom and Baby Cooper Lindbom on the way; siblings, Lisa Rashid of Kewanee, Keith Gustafson of Osceola, Missouri, Holly (Jason) Hicks of Kewanee; nieces and nephews, Nathan Rashid, Jake (Eftihia) Rashid, Tawnie (Tyler) Ewing, Tori Rashid, Shawn (Liz) Gustafson, Michael Gustafson, Brooke (Javonte) Hicks, Nolan Hicks, and Isabelle “Bitty” (Ava) Hicks; and ten great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Cynthia Gustafson; and a brother-in-law, Tony Rashid.
Kurt started working at the Ford dealership when he was only sixteen years old, washing cars for his dad. He played football as a tight end at St. Ambrose during his freshman year of college and graduated from Illinois State University in 1989 with his bachelor’s degree in marketing and finance. After college, he started selling cars at the dealership. He graduated from New Dealer Orientation to Ford Customer Satisfaction Seminar in May of 1993.
Kurt was all about his family, friends, and fun. He loved spending time with his family, especially with his granddaughter, Reese, who called him “Bapa.” He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and devoted so much love and time to his family and was the ultimate girl dad. He loved playing cards with his family and teasing them in good fun when they dealt him a bad hand or couldn’t shuffle the cards to his standards.
He made crispy pancakes every Christmas morning for his family and spent many nights making popcorn on the stove for his family with his old popcorn pan. Kurt loved playing golf with his friends. He was a part of the Midland Golf League that played on Tuesday nights. The group also met during the winter to play pool. He also played golf on Wednesday nights at Baker with friends. He enjoyed the water and
spending time on lakes and oceans. He loved the heat and spending time in the Florida sun.
Kurt was passionate about cars. He recently celebrated his 41 st year at the Ford Dealership. He was a member of multiple car dealer associations, like NADA (National Automobile Dealer Association), Illinois Auto Dealers, and Illinois Ford Dealer Advertising Fund. Kurt and his father, Keith “Buck,” won the Ford President’s Award in 1998. He was nominated for the prestigious Salute to Dealers award, a global award for which only twenty people were nominated for each year, in 2023, -24, and -25. He won the Outstanding Sales Achievement Award in 1993, the 120 Months of Sales Leadership during 1991-2001. He won the Golden Shovel Award in August 1997.
Kurt devoted a lot of his time to his community, he was on the park and school boards in Galva, the board at Messiah Lutheran Church in Galva, the Foundation Board at the Kewanee Hospital, the Kewanee Economic Development Committee, and looked forward to ushering at the Zion Lutheran Church.
Kurt’s visitation will be held from 3:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee. A funeral will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 10, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church. Pastor Linnea Gustafson will officiate. Burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.
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