Susan Gustavson Obituary

Susan Gustavson
AIKEN - It is with somber joy that we announce the passing of Susan Kay Irvine Gustavson on June 8th, 2025.
Susan is now reunited in Heavenly bliss with her husband of fifty-two years, William J "Bill" Gustavson, her mother Dorothy J Robinson Irvine, her father Alvin R. Irvine, and her sister Carolyn Ruth Goar Heath. She is survived by her sons David, John, and Michael Gustavson, as well as her sister's daughters Rebecca Lynn Heath and Rachel Lee Heath. She also has three grandsons, Brayden John Gustavson, William Turner Gustavson, and Theodore Wren Gustavson.
Susan was born in Texas City, Texas on the 30th of August in 1949. She graduated from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1967, and attended Texas Christian University from 1967 to 1968. She then spent a well-remembered summer at the university of Hawaii in Honolulu. That fall she transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, from which she graduated in 1972. During her time in Knoxville, she actively participated in Young Life Missions and Chi Omega sorority.
She married Bill on February 17th, 1973, after which they immediately moved to Boston, MA for Bill's work. Around a year later, Bill and Susan moved back to Knoxville, where David and John were born, and then to Baton Rouge, LA in 1985. After a little more than a year in Baton Rouge, the family moved to Aiken, SC, where Michael was born, and Susan remained there happily with her wonderful and loving family.
In her younger years, Susan loved horseback riding and her fondly remembered horse, Silver. As an adult, Susan was a beautiful piano player, a Sunday school teacher and bible study leader, and a bright light to everyone around her.
While in Aiken, Susan was a wonderful wife to a loving husband, the mother of three challenging sons, an aerobics instructor, a real estate agent & broker, a multiple sport parent, cheerleader, and coach, and a patient and loving full-time caregiver to Bill when he developed the late-life health issues inevitable to those who suffer from type one diabetes. The family attended New Covenant Presbyterian for many years, and after the boys moved out of the house, Susan & Bill also attended Grace Lutheran and Town Creek Baptist as often as Bill's health allowed. Susan's faith and daily walk with the Lord were constant comforts to her throughout her life.
Susan passed away peacefully in her sleep early on the morning of Sunday, June 8, 2025.
A memorial service will be held at Shellhouse Funeral Home on Hayne Avenue in Aiken, SC, at Eleven AM on July 19th. A celebration of life will be held later that evening. All who loved Susan are invited. Details will be shared at the memorial service. Susan always told her sons that she wanted a fireworks show with K.C. and the Sunshine Band when she joined the heavenly host, and her sons would like to welcome anyone who knew and loved Susan to join them as they make this wish come true. Burial will take place on Monday, July 21 at 11AM, at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Cleveland OH, where Susie Q will be lovingly laid to rest alongside Wilber.