Gus A Bredeson

Gustave “Gus” A Bredeson, age 89 of Blanchardville died on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 17, 1924 in rural Argyle to Martin and Caroline (Pederson) Bredeson. He attended the Brennan rural school in rural Argyle, and the graduated from the Argyle High School in 1942. He worked on various farms, at Rossings in Argyle and hauled coal before he joined the Army Air Forces on January 11, 1946. Gus was one of seven brothers in his family who served in World War II. He served stateside as a medical corpsman with the 3543rd Army. Four days prior to going into service, he was married on January 7, 1946 to Kathleen Elizabeth Bredeson at the Immaculate Conception rectory in Blanchardville. After being discharged from service he moved his family to Rockford where he got a job with the National Lock Company. He worked there for 32 years until his retirement in 1977. Gus was devoted to his family. He worked overtime almost every day to support them. He never said an unkind word about anyone, and was a humble man who always put his family first. His son Bruce (an identical twin to Byron) was born with cerebral palsy, and Gus made many pieces of adaptive equipment to make him more comfortable. He helped his wife’s parents, the Kelly’s, on their farm near Blanchardville, Wisconsin almost every weekend. He was very much involved with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as an assistant leader, never missing a single event. He enjoyed sports, and following JoAnn’s softball games, and Byron’s little-league games. Gus also loved watching stock car racing, and taking his family to the races in Rockford and Freeport. He was an active member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rockford in years past. Gus and his wife Kathleen enjoyed listening to polka music and going to dances. They enjoyed many polka music trips. They made many life-long friends in the polka world. Gus shared that love of polka music with his family, especially with his granddaughter Heidi and great-granddaughter Bernadette. Gus loved playing the accordion, which he taught himself by ear. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage, and could speak Norwegian. Gus and Kathleen moved to Blanchardville from Rockford in 2006 during their retirement years.

Gus is survived by two children, JoAnn Meade of Blanchardville, and Byron (Diane) Bredeson of Kimberling City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Heidi Meade of Cherry Valley, Illinois, Kristi (Glen White) Bredeson of Wichita, Kansas, and Ryan (Candice) Bredeson of Olympia, Washington; and four great-grandchildren, Bernadette Rotello, Kahlil and Caiyan Bredeson and Karlie White. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Kathleen who died on May 3, 2012; his son Bruce who died in 1966; nine brothers, Bjarne, Maurice, Louie, Alvin, Laurence, Henry, Victor, Melvin and Robert; and three sisters, Mable Campbell, Helen Bredeson and Clara Rundle.

A visitation for Gus Bredeson will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 2:00 until 7:00 PM at the Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville. A private burial in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville will be held with Veteran’s honors by the United States Military and the Dobson-Johnson American Legion Post in Blanchardville.