Avis Serene Gustafson

Avis Serene Gustafson passed from this world in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Eventide in Fargo, less than a week after reaching her 98th birthday.

Avis was born on the family farm near Elie, Manitoba on January 14, 1922, to August and Barbara (Pederson) Gustafson. She was the second youngest of seventeen children. The family moved to their farm near Starbuck, Manitoba in 1927. Avis attended school there and in her teens she proudly pitched for Starbuck's baseball team. She furthered her education at Dominion Business College and held several jobs in Winnipeg. These included work at a candy company, and as assistant to a doctor and two dentists.

Avis moved to Fargo in 1947 at the age of 25 and began work at the Fargo Clinic, starting a 37 year career of which she was most proud. She worked her way up to supervisor of Medical Records and Registration. It was at the clinic that Avis met some of her dearest life-long friends. After retiring from full time employment in 1985, Avis continued to work part- time jobs at Pioneer Life Insurance, Dakota Clinic and CBI.

Outside of work, Avis enjoyed time with friends, family and some travel, including memorable vacations to Hawaii and Mexico. She also had a special passion for golf. It was an activity which she enjoyed until the age of 87. Her putter and balls accompanied her to family gatherings and eventually to Touchmark Assisted Living even after her days on the course were done.

She became a citizen of the United States in 1953, but her home country of Canada always remained most dear to her heart.

Avis is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews from across Canada, Florida and North Dakota.