Irle Richard Gusa

d. October 31, 2017

Irle Richard Gusa, 97, of Rochester, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Homestead Rehabilitation and Living Center in Rochester, Minnesota. He died peacefully knowing that he was surrounded with love from his family and welcomed into the care of his family that passed before him. Irle was born on February 20, 1920 in Elgin, Minnesota, to Richard and Irene (Depuy) Gusa. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1940. He married Luella Schellhammer from Eyota on August 16, 1940 and shortly after their marriage, they moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he was employed by North American Aviation for the next three years. In 1943, he entered the Army Air Force and was stationed at Bolling Field, Virginia during World War II. In 1946, Irle and Luella moved back to Elgin where he worked as an electrician for his father. During their time in Elgin, Irle and Luella were both active in the American Legion and held many offices at the local and district level. He also served on the Elgin School Board for seventeen years. After Irle’s father retired, Irle took over Gusa Electric and operated it until 1982 when he sold the business and retired. As a Master Electrician, he was a member of the Minnesota Electrical Association and served as its President. Irle and Luella had two sons, Lonnie and Steven who were raised in Elgin, Minnesota. Luella passed away in 1987. In 1989, Irle married Marie Kreofsky in Plainview, Minnesota. They moved to Rochester in 1997. Together, they led a very active life of travel, dancing with the Silver Treads Square Dance Club and many activities at the Rochester Senior Center. During this time, Irle became a licensed pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was very proud of that achievement. Irle participated in the Southeast Minnesota Honor Flight on April 30, 2011. He was thrilled and honored to be part of that wonderful experience. Irle is survived by his two sons, Lonnie Gusa of Des Moines, Iowa and Steven (Karmen) Gusa of Rochester , Minnesota, five grandchildren, Christine Svec, Kimberly Rogowski, Erin Finke, Zachary Gusa, Megan Hiller and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanne Neumann of Farmington Hills, Michigan. In addition, Irle is survived by Marie’s family: Dan (Laura) Kreofsky, Rick (Connie) Kreofsky, Jerry Kreofsky, Bob (Teresa) Kreofsky, Ken (Jane) Kreofsky, Jim (Deb) Kreofsky, Colleen (Roger) Bjerke, Laura (Debbie) Kreofsky and daughter-in-law Nancy Kreofsky. There are also 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren from Marie’s family. Irle was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Luella, his second wife Marie, his brother James and his sister Betty. Visitation will be on Friday, November 3 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schad and Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview, Minnesota and one hour prior to the service at the church. Irle’ s memorial service will be Saturday, November 4 at 11:00 AM at the Congregational Church UCC in Rochester, Minnesota. Burial will be at the Elgin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Salvation Army and Mayo Clinic Hospice. Irle’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at The Homestead of Rochester and to Mayo Clinic Hospice. Irle will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man who dearly loved his family and was so very proud of them. Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 57 3rd St SW, Plainview, MN, 55964, 507-534-2003

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irle Richard Gusa, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Irle Richard Gusa

d. October 31, 2017

Guestbook