Paul D. Gustafson, 88, of Marinette, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. He was born April 27, 1936 to Alvin and Blossom Gustafson in Ishpeming, MI where he spent his early life and graduated from high school. He moved to Green Bay as a young man and established a business career that included 12 years as Treasurer for Schneider Transport and 6 years as CEO for Schneider Warehousing. While in Green Bay Paul met Nancy Derpinghaus and they were married on May 26, 1956. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to her death on November 23, 2021.
Paul and Nancy moved to Marinette where they operated Paul’s Music for 20 years and the Psalms Christian Bookstore for 15 years. Paul was an organist from the age of 14 and had served as organist for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Green Bay for 2 years then at Green Bay First United Methodist Church for 23 years. After coming to Marinette Paul served as organist for First United Methodist Church from 1986 until 2023.
Active in community affairs, Paul spent 9 years serving on the Marinette Water and Waste Water Commission, was President of Marinette Citizens Police Academy, served 2 terms on the Marinette Redevelopment Authority and served as a member of the Marinette County Board of Supervisors from 2006 until 2022. While serving on the County Board he was a member of the Law Enforcement Committee, Chairman of Marinette County Elderly Services for 6 years, sat on the ADRC Governing Board and the Marinette County Library Board.
He is survived by 2 daughters, Pam Johnson of Marinette and Amy Gustafson (Terri Vande Hei) of Green Bay; a son, Kevin (Debbie) Gustafson, also of Green Bay; grandsons, Dustin, Lee, Alex and Max; a great-granddaughter, Layona; many nieces and nephews; and his furry companion, Maizy.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Blossom; a son-in-law, Glenn Johnson; and a brother and sister-in-law, Rowland and Shirley Gustafson.
Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church, 813 Owena St. in Marinette on Saturday, February 1st beginning at 10 a.m. Services will be held at 12 noon at the church with the Rev. Nathan Reed officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Entombment will be in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum in Green Bay.
Paul’s family extends a special thank you to Susie Sutherland (Prevea Clinic) and Dr. Hassan and the staff of DaVita Marinette Dialysis for their kindness and support while their father was a patient.
Hansen-Onion-Martell funeral home is assisting the family.
