Kristi Gustafson

Kristi Ann (Merritt) Gustafson, 74, peacefully moved to her heavenly home on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at her Aurora home, surrounded by her family.
There will be a visitation at Monroe Evangelical Free Church, 1001 West 18 Road, rural Phillips on Friday May 30 from 6-8 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at Monroe on Saturday May 31 at 10:30 a.m. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com. Memorials should be directed to the family for distribution between Monroe EFC, Samaritan’s Purse and Step Up to Life Ministries.
Kristi was born on Jan. 2, 1951, to Ralph and Mabel (Lantzer) Merritt in Aurora and was the New Year’s baby in Hamilton County. She attended Aurora Public Schools and graduated in 1969. It was during these school days that she met Mark Gustafson, whom she would later marry on June 9, 1973, at the Aurora Evangelical Free Church.
Kristi spent most of her adult life dedicated to her husband, daughters, others and Monroe Evangelical Free Church (EFC). Some of her more interesting jobs during that time include area enumerator for the 1990 census and member of the first group to be hired and trained as an operator for the Deaf Relay at Hamilton Telecommunications.
However, her primary focus in life was always Jesus, Others and You — JOY. She brought so much joy to so many. She modeled a servant’s heart every day in many different ways: leading a JOY club in the old Phillips school; teaching Sunday School/Bible School/AWANA at church; reaching out to many as a faithful friend, always ready to listen and share her love for Jesus with everyone. Kris is remembered by those who knew her best as the most kind, funny, cool, understanding, compassionate, caring, and Jesus-loving person. She will be greatly missed.
Kristi was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mabel (Lantzer) Merritt; and her sister, Marcia (Merritt) Brown.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Mark; her daughter, Becky Goertzen (Rick) and grandsons Ryan (Makensie) and Jack; her daughter, Jenny Nachtigal (Josh), granddaughter Halle (Ethan), and grandsons Koby (Addison) and Colten; her daughter, Lindy Gustafson (Mike), granddaughter Mara and grandson Teddy; and brother-in-law Ron Brown (Phoebe).