Gloria Jean Traff was born December 15, 1945 in Austin, Minnesota to Emil and Lillie (Schroeder) Traff. She graduated from the Austin High School in 1963. On April 16, 1966 she married Richard William Bustad. They had three children Sherri, Ricky, and Ryan, and was a foster parent to nine other children. They were later divorced in 1988. Richard passed away in 1992. She was a licensed real estate agent and optician living in Austin for 54 years before moving to Colorado for ten years. In 2009 she returned to Minnesota and has resided in Caledonia.
She enjoyed going fishing with family to Leech Lake and the Boundary Waters, playing cards, crafts, cooking and baking, and especially spending time with her family and friends.
Gloria is survived by her three children Sherri Zsitvay and Rick Bustad both of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Ryan Bustad of Wellington, Colorado; six grandchildren Alexis, Alise, Annabella, Briar, Brooklyn, and Lily; three siblings Norma Bray, Lester (Barbara) Traff, and Leona (John) Detwiler all of Austin; aunts Helen Schroeder of Caledonia, Amanda Olson of Spring Grove, and Phyllis Traff of LaCrescent, and Evelyn Kessel of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews; and many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; three great nephews James Bray, Jakob Detwiler, and Thad Holtz; cousins Vernon and Darrell Olson; aunts and uncles Everett Traff, Alvin Traff, Bud Kessel, Arnold Schroeder, John Olson, Lillian Bresaw, Clara and Versell Pohlman, Marvin Meiners, Carl and Dorothy Schroeder, and Ella Meiners.
Funeral services will be 1 PM Wednesday, April 4 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Gail Klavetter officiating. Visitation will be 5 – 7 PM Tuesday, April 3 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. |
