Guste E. Blad of Hector, MN, was welcomed into heaven on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at the age of 76. He breathed his last in Mesa, AZ, while hearing the promise of John 14:1-3. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at Palmyra Covenant Church. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Palmyra, with interment to follow at the church cemetery.
Guste was born March 15, 1942, the eldest of Ruth (Carlson) and Moody Blad’s two children and was expected to work his father’s fields from a young age. His vibrant personality and friendliness earned him top honors as a Funk’s G salesman which he began at age 15. Guste graduated a proud Bulldog, “in the upper half of the lower third of his class,” from Hector High School before working as a farm machinery salesman for Johnson Hardware Company.
Guste married Adell Pederson on Aug. 31, 1968, and they raised three children on the century-old Blad Farm. As husband and dad, he believed providing for his family was a primary responsibility that he took very seriously. In addition to actively farming and having joint ownership of Hector Ag Supply for several years, Guste was a successful machinery jockey at both B&L Equipment and Guste Blad Equipment, which resulted in friendships throughout the Midwest. Guste was often heard sharing, “I love what I do. I have never worked a day in my life.”
The old country song “I’ve Been Everywhere” best describes Guste’s love of the open road and the many miles he travelled for auctions and farm machinery purchases. He lived out loud and was known for his generosity, kind heart, quick wit and having the nicest head of hair in Renville County. Guste’s passion for buying, collecting and selling antiques and collectables resulted in special friendships in the toy show and antique worlds.
Celebrating his Redeemer through song and deed was evident throughout Guste’s life. He was a lifelong member of Palmyra Covenant Church where he will be fondly remembered for robustly singing congregational hymns as well as solos and duets. He served in many leadership positions at his church and “walked the talk” in serving his Savior.
Guste is survived by his his wife of 50 years, Adell, and their three children and six grandchildren:
Sally Blad (Dan Belgum): Jacob and Erik
Stephanie (Mel Kath): Will, Everett and Benjamin
Nathan (Geri Fierst Smedstad): Megan
He is also survived by brother Paul (Kathy McLaughlin) and their two children/families.
Many were touched by Guste. He will remain in our hearts through the legacy he leaves behind.
Our deepest sympathies. The Hector community has lost one of it’s stalwarts.
So sorry to hear this. Our sympathy to your family.
Our condolences to your family Gusty was always super nice to everyone I am sure he will be missed by many he must had the biggest heart ♥️ of gold. you are all in our prayers. Blessings to you
Sympathy to the Blad family. Gus was a life-long friend and neighbor, and a “one-of-a-kind” special guy!! He will be missed by so many. Blessed be his memory!
Adell and family, I am so sorry to hear of Guste”s homegoing. I know he is going to be missed by so many as he was well known and he always brought joy and laughter to our cousin’s reunions and no doubt wherever he went. My own gradnkids don’t recall many of my cousins but they all remember Guste. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Am sorry to hear about Guste, he was always so friendly, my heart goes out to you all
We’re so sorry to hear of Gus’ passing. We know he hadn’t felt well nor like his normal self & now he’s free of those physical limitations. His jovial, friendly v, robust spirit will always be remembered by everyone. Gus was truly one of a kind with his love of life, generosity, friendliness, & wonderful, happy laugh. I’m so glad he came to our Cousins’ Reunion in 2017. Adell, Sally, Stephanie, Nathan & entire family: our thoughts & prayers are with you. We all loved him.
Jim and I are saddened to hear of Guste’s passing and send our best wishes to you, Adell and family.
Nate and your mom and family we want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I always enjoyed taking care of and visiting with Guste. Take care Jayne
Sending our sympathy and hugs to the family. Guste was the friendliest person and will be missed.
Adele and family, my condolences. Guste was one of a kind. You know I’ll be smiling whenever I think of him.
We’re so sorry to hear about Gus’ passing. We know he wasn’t feeling well and like his normal self. Now he’s free of his physical limitations. We’ll all miss his jovial spirit, wonderful laugh, generosity, & great friendliness to everyone. Our thoughts & prayers for comfort are with you, Adell, Sally, Stephanie, Nathan, and all of your family. We all loved him.
We are so saddened to hear our good friend Guste had passed away. He will be TERRIBLY MISSED by all of his us at Bell Tower. Our thoughts are with Adell and all of the family. He was such a special guy , a joy to work with. Blessed be his memory!
My sympathy to you. He was a wonderful man and he will always be remembered
My sympathy to you. Guste was a special man and he will be remembered
My deepest sympathys go out the Blad family. I’ll always remember Guste as the kindest person I ever met. He will be greatly missed.
Our sympathy goes to Adell and the rest of the family. So sorry to hear of Guste’s passing. Always enjoyed his smile. He will be greatly missed. God bless.
My sympathy goes out to Adell, Sally, Stephanie, Nathan and familes. So sorry to hear of Guste’s passing. He was a life long neighbor to us and also a great customer of our shop business. He will surely be missed by all in the farm machinery business.
Adell & to your whole family,
We were so sad to hear this news and wanted to send our love to you. It was such a blessing to share our time in Hector with you both, especially with wonderful coffee and conversation! I’ll miss Guste (he was the first church chair I had the pleasure of working with) and I pray that you hold onto the cherished memories of your time together. May God surround you with His love and comfort now and in the days to come. Peace be to his memory!
Sending our love and prayers from California,
Steve & Rebecca
Our sympathy to you Adell and the rest of the family. Glad we had such a nice visit this fall.
My heart aches but is also full with happy memories. Rest in peace, Guste!
Praying for comfort and peace for all of you. Gusts will be missed by so many!
Such a kind man. I will very much miss seeing him and it was an honor to help care for him.
Sending warmest of sympathies! May beautiful memories help you through this difficult time!! Guste was one of a kind!
So many years of being in school with Guste. He was always kind and full of happiness. He will be missed by his wife, family and many friends. May God bless all of you.
I used to do his perms on a moments notice , he was fun to visit with….Adell and family , we are thinking of you all.
You have our sympathy…We are praying for you
Adell and family, We we’re saddened to hear of Guste’s passing. Bob and I always enjoyed his warm conversation. It was great having you all for neighbors near Hector. Sending prayers for you, Bob and Jayme Faber and family.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Guste. He was such a nice man, always friendly, and fun to talk to. Cherish the memories!
Adell we just heard the news of Guste’s passing and send you are deepest sympathy. He was one of a kind and
we so enjoyed the time we spent with you at toy shows. He will be missed by many. God’s blessings to you and
your family in the days ahead.
Guste was known as an honest man, his word was alway good. Will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy! Hold tight to all your beautiful memories! Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers!
He was a very smart guy to talk with at toy shows he will be missed for all his interests in farm toys and farm equiptment
He was a such a KIND person. No matter what he was going through, always so positive.
Hold onto the memories.
I am very sorry to hear of Guste’s passing. He was one of a kind! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. RIP Guste.
Guste was one awesome guy. from the first time you met him, he made you feel like you were life long friends. its too bad the world isn’t filled with people like him. rip big fella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our sympathies to Guste’s family. He was a truly great man. We enjoyed his visits to our shop, he was so interesting to chat with, always a smile on his face and a story on the tip of his tongue. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Our thoughts & prayers to you all.
Our Prayers and peace to your family at the passing of this wonderful, kind man. Deepest sympathy to you all.
Adell and the rest of the Blad family, I’m sending my most sincere sympathy to you all, on the loss of Guste this past week. Not only was he a wonderful cousin, but a true lifelong friend. In our growing up years, Guste, Paul and I were together, virtually all the time. When I think of all the memories, tears come to my eyes, but a smile is there too, as we had so many great times together.The world lost one of very best with Guste’s passing. RIP dear friend. 🙏🙏
Steph and the Blad Family,
Sorry for your loss. Gus was one in a million. He was a kind, generous man and sure was proud of his family. I enjoyed seeing him every summer at the cabin. You have our sympathy.
Gary, Jena and family.
Adell and family, We are so sorry to hear the passing of Guste, He was so good to me as a young crop consultant who gave me a chance to work on his farm. I am forever grateful to have worked for him and we will miss him dearly. May God’s Grace and Peace be with you all. Curt & Jackie Burns and family
Sorry for your loss.Guste was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Blad families.
We a truly blessed to have known this wonderful family. We hold you all in a loving place, now and always. Guste lived life well and is now in sacred space. RIP
Adell and family , know how tough this time is for you. How wonderful that you know the assurance of heaven and eternal life in heaven to comfort you. Have so many wonderful memories, what comes to mind right now is making ice cream for ice cream social in the machine shed. Will keep you in my prayers.
Sally and Family, Think of you, and praying that You will be comforted by the memories, friends and God’s love. It is never easy to say our earthly goodbyes, may he Rest In Peace, till the wonder of the day, when the trumpets sound, and all will rise in the glory!