Beverly A. Gustafson

Beverly A. Gustafson, age 91, of Iron River, MI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. God called her home during “peak fall color” in the Upper Peninsula where God’s splendor is reflected in the brilliant colors of the fall foliage. Beverly was born on February 26, 1931, in Marquette, MI, the daughter of the late Leo and Irma (Paveglio) Phaneuf. She attended elementary school at John D. Pierce School and graduated from Baraga High School in 1948. She then attended Northern Michigan University earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. Additional classes were taken at the University of Michigan and Northern Michigan University. Beverly married Raymond Gustafson Jr. on February 6, 1954 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Marquette, MI and the couple made their home in Stephenson until relocating to Iron River in 1958. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in 1984. Raymond preceded her in death on January 24, 1985. She started teaching Home Economics in Stephenson in 1952. She taught lower elementary grades in multiple schools in the Iron River Area, due to school consolidation. She most often taught Kindergarten. Beverly retired from the West Iron County Schools in 1988 after 27 years of teaching. She was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River, the Altar Society, the Rosary Sodality, Lady Elks, Michigan and Iron County Associations of Retired School Personnel, and the Iron County Historical Museum. Beverly was very active in the Museum, where she was on the board and served as secretary. She was honored as Michigan Historian of the Year in 1984. Beverly enjoyed reading and playing cards, especially Bridge. Beverly is survived by her daughter, Gale (Dennis) Cerney of Iron River; grandson, Andrew (Lisa) Cerney and great-granddaughter Madison of Winthrop Harbor, IL and grandson, Daniel Cerney of Iron River; sister-in-law, Elsa Phaneuf of Federal Way, WA; and many nieces, nephews and friends including special friend Peggy Rose. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, and brother Daniel Phaneuf. The family wishes to thank Victorian Heights Assisted Living and the Iron County Medical Care Facility for their compassionate care in the final years of Beverly’s life. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River with Rev. Jose Cherian to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The ladies of the Altar Society and the Rosary Sodality will form an honor guard at the funeral mass. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference towards the Children’s Winter Boot Program or the Iron County Historical Museum. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beverly A. Gustafson, please visit our flower store.