On November 11, 2024, Michael Richard Gustafson bid farewell to this world after losing a brave battle with cancer.

Mike was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, on November 3, 1943, to Carl and Leila Gustafson, and grew up in North Rapid, where his family had a large garden. At age seven, he began honing his entrepreneurial skills by loading his wagon with fresh tomatoes and assorted vegetables to sell his family's produce door-to-door.

He graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 1961, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and Northwestern University in 1972 with a Master of Business.

Mike's first big business venture was Ponderosa Industries, a chemical fertilizer company he founded in Missouri. This successful business provided him with the capital to build the First Gold Hotel and Casino in Deadwood in 1989, and as the President and Owner of First Gold, he spent the next 35 years in the gaming industry. One of the original owners of the Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel and Resort, he was instrumental in planning the renovation of the famous Homestake Slime Plant to become a much-needed music venue for the tourist town. As an enthusiastic sponsor of the Deadwood Days of '76, he led the parade as the Grand Marshall of 2018. He founded the Deadwood 3-Wheeler Rally, which has grown exponentially each year and celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year. Mike purchased the historic train depot on Omaha Street in Rapid City and turned it into a country western bar, The Dance Depot, which had the largest dance floor in South Dakota.

On December 28, 1990, he married the love of his life, April. They spent the next 34 years creating delightful and loving memories with their blended family. Mike was well-known as an eternal optimist and a staunch supporter of experiencing life to its fullest. He and April traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Hungary, Greece, and Germany. It was Mexico that captured his heart with its sunny days, rich culture, and bright orange sun slipping into the ocean each evening. Mike had a deep appreciation of sunsets and delighted in the colorful displays viewed from the comfort of their Mexico and Arizona patios.

Mike had many hobbies he enjoyed—golfing, fishing, and pheasant hunting were in the top three—but these were pastimes for him; what he loved the most was to have family and friends around to share food, wine, music, and conversation. The more, the merrier was his philosophy, and he was a terrific host. His laughter filled a room, and he was as enthusiastic about simple pleasures such as playing cards at home as he was about fine dining in an Italian Villa.

Mike was a generous and kind man who supported the dreams of his children and grandchildren and did what was necessary to help enrich their lives. As a family, we are truly grateful to have been able to share his joy for living, blessed to have had his loving care, and we will forever cherish his memory.

Those sharing the profound loss of Mike include his loving wife of thirty-four years, April (Hauff) Gustafson; sister June Van Pelt; two sons, Pete (Tammy) Williams and Michael Richard Gustafson II; step-children Dan (Heather) Rederth; Amy Rederth; Jeff (Marie) Simmons; and Mitch (Jennifer) Simmons. Grandchildren John, Maddie, Katie, Nick, Davis, Alex, Keersten, Abigail, Hayden, Connor, Mason, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Matthew Gustafson; brother, Carl Gustafson; and sisters, Beverly Cochran and Gloria Gill.

Services will be held privately by his family, and he will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.