Sharon Ann Gustafson

Sharon Ann Gustafson was born on July 26, 1940 in Kewanee, Illinois, the daughter of Richard and Flora (Cook) Sturtevant. She graduated from St. Stanislaus Catholic Grade School and then from Kewanee High School with the Class of 1958.  Sharon married Jerry Gustafson on October 14, 1961 in Kewanee. Jerry was also in the KHS Class of 1958.  They built a wonderful life together in Kewanee. He preceded her in death in 2013, and Sharon had missed him and his love and companionship everyday. 

Sharon is survived by her five children Jackie (Jorge) Franchi of Annandale, Virginia, Jill (Mike) Heinrich of Iowa City, Iowa, and Chris (Christine) Gustafson, Craig (Margaret) Gustafson, and Chad (Julie) Gustafson, all of Kewanee, Illinois. Her nine grandchildren are Jack Franchi, Nicole Franchi, Thomas (Ali) Heinrich, Jayne Heinrich, Dr. Victoria Gustafson, Nicklaus Gustafson, Matthew Gustafson, Dr. Alison (Connor) McDonald, and Elizabeth (Thomas) Witty. Sharon was blessed with a great-grandchild, Max Heinrich. She is also survived by siblings Ted (Marilyn) Sturtevant and Diana (Tom) Entas, both of Kewanee, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Edward Sturtevant, George Sturtevant, and Richard Sturtevant, and a sister, Shirley Tiemann-Whaley. She also loved her cat Quinn and six grand dogs—Charlee, Cinnamon, Sky, Mia, Rosie and Augie.

Never afraid of hard work or a new project, Sharon served as a great role model to her children and grandchildren.  Professionally, she worked as a graphic designer and then as an insurance coder/biller until her retirement at age 70. Her creativity and adventurous spirit helped her develop her inherent skills into truly amazing work in ceramics, sewing and later embroidery, refinishing woodwork, home improvement, floral arrangements, and gardening. Sharon generously shared those talents by donating many items to local charities for fundraising auctions.  Her extraordinary skills as a seamstress were appreciated by her family, relatives, and community members for whom she completed so many beautiful projects.  Her overall favorites were the incredible Halloween costumes that she made for her grandchildren.

She loved taking trips through the years with her family and attending her grandchildren’s activities. Her grandchildren knew that they could count on her to be there for them always. By her example, Sharon encouraged her family to be fearless and independent. She recently said, “I’ve done so many things in my life. I’ve had a good full life. I’ve done about everything there is to try. I just tackle it. If you make a mistake, there’s always a way out if you look.” She was loved by many and will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 20th at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with Father Chris Haake officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The interment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kewanee Schools Foundation for a scholarship that has been established in honor of Sharon and Jerry Gustafson.

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