Virginia Elaine Gustafson, 89, of Paxton, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017, at 11:30 am at Illinois Knights Templar Nursing Home, Paxton.

Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 260 S. Union St., Paxton at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 14, 2017, with Pastor David Parker officiating. Burial will be in Glen Cemetery, Paxton.

Visitation will be Friday, October 13 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells St., Paxton and at the church an hour before the service on Saturday.

Elaine was born January 30, 1928 in rural Loda to E. David and E. Victoria (Erickson) Johnson. Elaine married Norman Gustafson on December 28, 1957, at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Paxton. Together they farmed north of Paxton. He preceded her in death on September 3, 1985.

Elaine is survived by their three children: Roger (Diane) Gustafson of Paxton, Susan (Tom) Sandman of Canton and Donna (Gordon) Selling of Dunlap and four grandchildren: Nathan (Elena) Selling of St. Charles, MO, John Sandman of St Louis, MO, Jason Selling of Urbana, and Joy Sandman of St Louis, MO. Also surviving are one brother, Robert Johnson of Marceline, MO, two sisters, Eleanor Bogner of Catonsville, MD and Phyllis King of Champaign, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband Norman, Elaine was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley Johnson, two sisters, Carolyn Larson and Marian Osborn, three nieces, and three nephews.
Elaine grew up on the Johnson family farm southeast of Loda, attended and graduated eighth grade from Holmes School. She graduated from Loda Township High School in 1946 and Illinois State Normal University in 1950. Elaine taught in Woodstock and Elgin, Illinois before returning in 1956 to teach at Clara Peterson Grade School in Paxton. After taking leave to raise her children, she returned in 1970 to the Paxton School District to teach Title I reading and retired in 1994. She then enjoyed substituting for ten years.

After being confirmed in 1942, Elaine became a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of which her grandparents were founding members. She served on and chaired various church boards, was active with Fireside Friends, the annual Lucia Fest Celebration, and Vacation Bible School, and was chairman of Covenant Women. She was honored in 2009 for having taught Sunday School for 50 years. She was a former 4-H leader and a current member of Ford-Iroquois Retired Teachers and Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau.

Elaine enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activites and the annual Johnson Family Reunion. She was very proud of her Swedish heritage. Visiting with friends and relatives either in person or via the phone gave her great pleasure.

Memorials may be made to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.