Clifford "Cliff" Gustafson

Missoula, MT – On May 4th, with a loving kiss from Annette, his “Yakima Peach,” Clifford Gustafson passed from this life into the glorious presence of Jesus. Cliff was born July 13, 1936 and raised in Missoula. While serving in the Army Reserves, he spotted the love of his life singing in a revival meeting. He told his buddies, “That’s the woman I’m going to marry!” Six months later they did. Their sweet love story lasted for 61 years and blessed their entire family. After a long battle with dementia and recent bout of cancer, Cliff leaves behind three children and spouses, Joanna (John Weaver), Linda (Lee Brown), Steve (Polly Gustafson) and their spiritually adopted son Gary (Donita Mariegard). Grandchildren John Michael Weaver (Kami, great-grandchildren Jaxson and Quinley), Jessica Downs (Loren, great-grandchildren Nathaniel and Josiah), Josh Weaver, Ross and Taylor Brown, Emma and Chloe Gustafson, Shannon Mariegard-Sisk (Andrew), Olivia and Maddie Mariegard. Cliff was an entrepreneur at heart, selling newspapers as a 9-year-old and hooky-bobbing on bus bumpers in the winter to get around. At 19, without any construction experience, he built a second story on his mother’s home. He went on to build over sixteen homes in Missoula, eleven of which they lived in briefly. He started working for the NP Railroad at 19 and worked in the storeroom for twelve years. He bought a dump truck and started his own business, but the work kept him from his family, so he took a job at the County Road Department. He loved the job and his coworkers, working there for 26 years until he retired in 1998. Cliff was passionate about sharing his love for Jesus. From the age of 19, he joined a team of men who held Sunday services at the Missoula County Jail. He continued jail ministry and shared the hope of victorious life in Jesus for over 60 years. He later added a monthly visit to the Montana State Prison for over 10 years. He never missed an opportunity to share the Lord with everyone he met, opening his home to incarcerated men and women as they re-entered the community, often assisting them in finding housing and a job. Cliff faithfully attended Christian Life Center and served on the board for many years. He loved his church family and many of those people became extra moms and dads to his children, remaining an important part of their lives today. Second to loving Jesus and his family, Cliff loved camping, fishing, and motorcycling with family and friends. He cherished times visiting over a meal or dessert, sharing stories about God’s faithfulness and the many miracles he’d experienced in his life. He loved helping people and was thrilled to assist his children in building their dream homes. Helping Steve build his cabin at Glacier Bible Camp gave him great joy for it provided a place for his family to worship, pray and play. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Gussie Gustafson, nephew Chuck Schmautz (Jodie, son Andrew), nieces Suzie Cochran (children Payton, Shay, Hayley and Ella), Susie Blair (Steve, sons Josiah and Tyler), Kristi Walters (children Whitney, Hannah and Timothy). Today, he’s rejoicing in heaven with his dad Elmer, mom Anna, sister Gert, and brothers-in-law Owen and Jerry. The rest of us can’t wait to join him. We’ll see you soon, sweet Daddy Dear! A large celebration of Cliff's life will be held Thursday, June 30th at Christian Life Center, time to be determined. This Friday, May 13th, a viewing will be held from 1-2:30 at CLC with a graveside to follow at Missoula Cemetery.

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