From Sweden to Michigan

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.