Merle Gustafson, 83, of West Point, died Monday, June 23, 2008 at West Point Living Center Funeral services will be 2:00 pm. Thursday June 26, 2008 at Trinity Church in West Point, NE. with Pastor Nora Mendyk officiating. Burial will be at Westside Cemetery near Oakland. Visitation will be 9:00 am. until 8:00 pm. Wednesday with family present 6:00 pm. until 8:00 pm. Memorials may be made to the Westside Cemetery. Those wishing to leave on line condolences may do so at www.stokelyfuneralhome.com.Merle Harry Gustafson was born April 24th, 1925 to Harry Carl and Leora (Olson) Gustafson at Oakland, Nebraska. He attended elementary school at District 33 and graduated from West Point High School in 1943. He was confirmed at Westside Methodist Church. On September 27, 1947, he married Lola Ruth (Lofgren) at West Side Methodist Church. He was engaged in farming in the Wisner and Fremont areas for several years. They moved to rural Oakland, where they farmed and milked dairy cows. The couple retired and moved to West Point in 1991. Merle was active in the Mid-America Dairy association and served as Secretary. Merle organized the Bismark Livestock 4-H club. He served as a Cuming County 4-H leader for many years. He was a member of theformer Westside Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees as well as the Westside Cemetery Board. Upon his move to West Point, Merle was an active member of Trinity Church in West Point. Merle enjoyed life to the fullest. He was proud to be a farmer, husband, father and great-grand-father. He enjoyed helping out family and friends. Merle is survived by his wife, Lola Ruth of West Point, sons; Gerald (Cheryl) Gustafson of West Point and Rodney (Carol) Gustafson of Waverly, daughter, Denise (John) Kerschinske of Cedar Bluffs, grandchildren; Lisa (Steven) Groth, David (Melanie) Gustafson, John (Deb) Gustafson, Jason (Kathryn) Gustafson, Gwen (Ken) Reinke, and Julius Kerschinske, and eleven great-grandchildren, Ty, Hannah, Brooke, Audra, Jordan, samuel, Cole, Benjamin, Makayla, Quentonand one sister, Evelyn Schlueter of Wisner. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Leora, and grand-daughter Lori Gustafson.