Monday, March 26, 2012

Dr. Axel ~ Maria Christina's way little Brother


Contributed by Dar: 

uncle AXEL (not to be confused with grandpa axel hanson- his namesake) & wife ERMA are buried with the rich and famous, right near michael jackson at FOREST LAWN CEMETERY !  dean and i drive by it every time we go into hollywood- we will definitely research it and make the pilgrimage (and take pictures if allowed).. here is how the town of gustine saw him...this was entered by the gustine historical society (they say he was a short man and always smiling- loved to dance and play bridge..and kids.....and chipmunks!)
Dr. "Gus"
Dr. Axel W. Gustafson came to Gustine in January of 1925 to assume the practice of Dr. C.E. Stagner. He stayed to practice medicine for over 25 years, during which time he came to embody all the qualities found in a true country doctor.

Born in Sweden in 1881, his family came to the United States when he was year old and settled in Marquette, Michigan. After graduating from high school, he entered college to study medicine and received his degree from the University of Southern California in 1916 and then served during World War I. He interned at the San Joaquin County Hospital at French Camp, California and was resident physician there for two and one-half years before coming to Gustine.

Many warm, loving stories are told of Doctor “Gus,” as he was affectionately known. Matthew Fantazia relates that he was born on May 6, 1925, on the day Dr. Gus was to marry his wife Erma. For the next 28 years he always received a card from the doctor and his wife on his birthday.

He was kept busy delivering babies. Isabelle Castro was the first child he delivered in Gustine and Adrienne Lawrence his last before his death.

Known as the doctor who made house calls, Inez Vierra Martin recalls, as a child being gravely ill with the flu. Dr. Gus made the 24-mile round trip to her home, twice a day, to visit her, making the second trip without being asked, because he was so worried.

Clarise Bonner Miller remembers the middle of a hot summer when she was living on the miller ranch in the hills west of Gustine and her daughter kept running a high fever. Dr. Gus would drive into the hills to the ranch to see the little girl, saying at the door, “This isn’t an official visit, this is just to visit.”

Fritz Hymiller relates that an office or home visit was $1 and if the doctor came more than once a day it was still only $1. A baby was delivered for $25. If you had to see a specialist or another doctor, he took you in his own car from Gustine to wherever the other doctor was located. If he took you for a stay at a hospital, he would also pick you up and bring you home.

The author, who was delivered by Dr. Gus, remembers as a child, visits to his office. Pictures of Dionne quintuplets lined the walls. Mrs. Gustafson would often distribute candy to the children sitting on the wicker chairs in the waiting room. If you were a good little patient during his examination, Dr. Gus would reward you by taking you into his back yard and letting you see his pet chipmunks.

His love of children extended to the schools where for many year he served as school doctor. A statue in loving memory of Dr. Gus has been placed near the library of Gustine Elementary/Junior High School.

This kindly, sympathetic and unselfish man devoted his life to safeguarding the health of so many residents of Gustine. Quiet and unassuming, he brought them into the world, nursed them through all their illness and in many cases, made the last days of their loved ones happier because of his faithful attendance.
His friendly smile, his cherry greetings, his willingness to help on any occasion, earned him the respect of every man, woman and child who knew him.

Dr. A.W. Gustafson passed away on May 14, 1952 and was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. His wife, Erma, wrote, “Strange, a little above him is a spot called ‘ Lullabye Land’ where babies up to five years old are laid away, a lovely marble statue of angels watching over them. His heart and soul were always with little children.










































*****

Source: California Medical Association page 160

GuSTAFSON, AXEL W. Died in Gustine, May 14, 1952, aged
71. Graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Los
Angeles, 1922. Licensed in California in 1922. Dr. Gustafson
was a member of the Merced County Medical Society, the
California Medical Association, and the American Medical
Association.

California Death Index 1940-1997
California Death Index, 1940-1997 about Axel Walfred Gustafson
Name:
Axel Walfred Gustafson
Social Security #:
0
Sex:
Male
Birth Date:
3 Feb 1881
Birthplace:
Other Country
Death Date:
14 May 1952
Death Place:
Merced

Monday, January 30, 2012

Dean Growing Up



Dean Hanson at 2127 Pioneer Dr, Jackson MI





Dean in Kindergarten, Harrington, '71-'72
Dean 1976

1977
1982
Pearl, Rudy and Dean July 1983


Dar Growing Up


Dar's Birthday Party





Doug Growing Up





Dec 1965

Doug in 8th Grade April 1968
Douglas James Hanson, April 19, 1970 15 years old

Pearl and Baby David Hanson



1947 Washington, D.C.

26 Oct 1947

Rudy With His 1st Baby Boy





1947 Valley Forge, PA


2 Nov 1947 Rudy holding David Hanson

This is the original Church used by the soldiers during the battle of Valley Forge 2 Nov 1947
Rudy and David 



Family Photos

Back: Pearl Mieske Hanson, Alma Mieske Kelly, Mom Mieske
Front: David Hanson, Tim Kelly, Rudy Hanson
Rudy, David and Pearl at 555 Hudson Ave

Pearl, Rudy and David


Darrell and Karen's Wedding

Karen Ann Swackhamer, 19 years old

Rudy, Darrell, Karen, Pearl
July 27, 1974

Darrell Growing Up


Pearl and Darrell 1959
Darrell 12/65





Dean 5 months, Darrell 11 years Nov '66
Darrell, 19 April 1970, 14 years
Darrell 7th Grade