Klemens Elden Gustafson, 'Dr. Gus' passed away on May 9th, 2024 in Dallas, TX.at the age of 88.  Born in Oakland, Nebraska on June 14, 1935, Klemens was a man of many titles - a compassionate medical doctor, a generous community leader, a reliable friend, and a talented craftsman, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He channeled his tremendous intelligence and dedication into a life of service, both to his country and to the communities he called home.

Klemens was committed to community and family early in life. He attended Creighton University High School and Creighton University in Omaha. In 1958 he was married to his wife, Barbara. He served in the US Army, as a Lieutenant. He was commissioned to serve at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX in 1958. He was then stationed with the US Army in Verdun, France Medical Services Corps (1958-1960) where he managed the field hospital clinical lab.  He served in the US Army Reserves at the 42nd Field Hospital in Omaha, NE through 1965.

He pursued his passion for medicine, earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1966.

Klemens began his medical practice in Beatrice, NE in 1968, co-founding the Beatrice Medical Center.  He was President  of the Gage County Medical Society, a physician advisor to Beatrice Public Schools, Beatrice High School Athletics, and the Martin Luther Home. He served as President of Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, church board president of St Joseph Catholic Church.  He raised his family in Beatrice and practiced there until 1985, when he relocated to San Antonio, TX.

In every chapter of his career, Klemens proved himself not only a skilled and dedicated physician but also a leader. He had a private practice in San Antonio, TX.  In 1994 he accepted a position in Fort Worth with John Peter Smith Hospital, Tarrant County Hospital District,  as Medical Director of Employee Health Services.  In 1997 he moved to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX as Associate  Professor and Chief of Residents in Family Practice.

Klemens also was a man who embraced life’s pleasures with equal gusto and humor.  A lover of travel, photography, motor homing, boating,  woodcrafts, and automobiles, Klemens filled his leisure time with hobbies that allowed him to express his creativity and technical skill. His zest for life was evident in everything he did, whether it was teaching countless family to ski, capturing a moment with his camera or tinkering with his classic cars.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Jelen Gustafson to whom he was married for 50 years; his parents, Klemens Elden Gustafson, Sr. and Katherine Forks Gustafson Blue; his brother James Robert Gustafson. He is survived by his four children, Chris Gustafson and wife Elaine of Fort Worth, TX; Terri Bahun and husband Joe of Galveston, TX; Mike Gustafson and wife Kathy of Bear, DE; and Jeff Gustafson of Dallas, TX.  He had 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; is survived by his sister Mary Carol Dion, his sister-in-law Mary Kay Coffey and brother-in-law Thomas P. O'Connor.

A Rosary Service will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, June 29, 2024. Thoughts will be delivered by Rev. George R. Sullivan, S.J. followed be the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Both services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beatrice, NE with Father Leo Kosch and Father Loras Grell officiating. Both services will be livestreamed on his memory page at www.ghchapel.com.

Christian burial will take place at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Beatrice with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Bitting-Norman Post #27, American Legion.

Public visitation will be held from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 PM.

A memorial has been established to Creighton Prep at https://www.creightonprep.org/support-prep/give-now. Please use the link provided or send contributions to the funeral home.

A verse from the book of Matthew captures the essence of Klemens' life: "Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). He was indeed a good and faithful servant, to his family, his patients, and his community.

His legacy of service, leadership, and love will continue to inspire all who knew him. We invite you to share your memories and upload photos, and view the services at the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com, as we remember and celebrate the life of Klemens Gustafson.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice, NE.