Bert Lars Gustafson, 93, Minot and former longtime South Prairie area farmer died on Thursday, November 22, 2012 in a Minot hospital.

Bert was born on August 26, 1919 on the family farm in Afton Township of Ward County, south of Minot to Emil and Amalia (Ericcson) Gustafson. He was reared on the family farm and attended rural schools. As a young adult he assisted his family with the operation of the farm. Eventually, he and his brother, Art, owned and operated the farm. Bert purchased a home in Minot in 1953 and he would split time between his farm home and Minot residence. He moved into Minot on a fulltime basis in 1980 and became a fulltime resident of Edgewood Vista in July of 2011.

Bert was an avid pool player and enjoyed bowling, hunting, collecting antiques and playing baseball in his younger years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and Farmers Union and attended Saron Lutheran Church when he lived on the farm.

Bert is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins including Eileen Reddick, Marlene Demaree, Duane Swanson, Elaine Almy, Darlene Melius, Norman Erickson, Maynard Erickson, Evelyn Johnson and Yvonne Johnson.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Lucille Erickson, Margaret Swanson, Mabel Ehr and Gunhild Ehr and brothers: Art and Bernhard.

Celebration of the Life of Bert Gustafson: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Saron Lutheran Church or Edgewood Vista of Minot.