Lawrence Joseph Gustin

Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Gustin, of Bloomington, Minnesota, formerly of Hibbing, Minnestoa, passed away on April 5, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Larry was born to Joseph J. and Ann M. Gustin (Danculovich) in Hibbing, Minnesota. Always a hard worker, as a youth, Larry worked at the Keewatin Bowling Center setting bowling pins and then as a projectionist extraordinaire at the Keewatin Theater. After Larry graduated from Keewatin High School, he graduated from Hibbing Community College before continuing his studies at Bemidji State University and then finishing his degree in business administration at the Minnesota School of Business in the Twin Cities. Soon after completing his education, Larry proudly served in the United States Military beginning in 1959. In the Army, Larry was a Private First Class with training and recognition in finance, marksmanship and medical training. Larry served in Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and received his medic training at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado before receiving a Marksman Badge (Rifle M-1), Good Conduct Medal and Honorable Discharge in 1961 as an SP-4. Larry began his career in the accounting department at M.A. Hanna Mining Company in 1961. In 1968, Larry met the love of his life, a young woman named Paulette Kiskis who also worked at Hanna Mining. They soon married, on September 6, 1968, and Paulette has been his loving wife for over 55 years. Larry moved into mine and occupational safety in 1970 and obtained a Safety Management Certificate in 1977 from the International Safety Academy. He was elected the president of Lake Superior Mines Safety Council in 1987. He was proud of his lifetime safety record, which was capped by zero fatalities during his tenure in mining and the thousands of employees he worked to protect every day. After 45 years in the mining industry, Larry retired as safety and security manager of National Steel Pellet Company in 2001. Larry and Paulette made their home in Hibbing for most of their adult lives where they raised their two sons, Timothy and Todd. In 2010, Larry and Paulette moved to their current home in Bloomington. Being a full-time Grandpa became Larry's passion. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow while watching them in a myriad of sporting and other activities, from hockey, skiing, soccer, softball to singing. Larry's time in the Twin Cities was among his most busy and rewarding time in his life. Larry enjoyed traveling with Paulette and always meeting new people and making new friends during his travels. Being a lifelong, avid Cincinnati Reds fan, he traveled to watch them play during season and spring training. Larry was proud of his Croatian heritage and introduced his family to what became lifelong family traditions of hunting, fishing, and spending time in the outdoors. Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Paulette, sons Timothy (Kate), Todd (Anne), and respective grandchildren, Flora (16) and Theodore (14), and Livia (17) and Gianna (14). Services will be held at Washburn-McReavy at 5000 West 50th Street, Edina, Minnesota on Friday, May 3, 2024, with visitation from 4:00-6:00 pm followed by a chapel service and dinner. A private military burial will take place at Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Larry requested that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Tributes

Lawrence Joseph Gustin

August 6, 1936 - April 5, 2024

Tributes

Lawrence Joseph Gustin

August 6, 1936 - April 5, 2024

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