Wayne David Gustafson, 87, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at Westhills Village Healthcare in Rapid City, SD where he was lovingly cared for in his final, peaceful moments.

Wayne was born June 26, 1936, the youngest child to David Teofil Gustafson and Lenora (Rames) Gustafson, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attended grade school at Mark Twain Elementary. He graduated from Washington High with the class of 1954, where he was all conference in football, participated in basketball, was homecoming king as well as president of the student council. After graduating high school, he went on to attend Northwestern College in Evanston, Illinois on a football scholarship for the legendary Ara Parseghian and joined the SAE Fraternity House and served as President and Secretary, where he earned the nickname "The Godfather." J

After graduating in 1958 with a business degree, he came back to Sioux Falls and began his career with Dave Gustafson & Co. that his father started in 1919. That same year he met the love of his life Jacqueline Mann whom he married on November 27, 1959. The family grew with the births of Janelle, David and Steven.

Wayne had been involved in the construction industry from the time he was a young 12-year-old boy watching his dad build their first state highway project on Highway 17 back in 1948. One of his first tasks when he came on board in 1958 was to purchase a bituminous asphalt plant and enter the asphalt resurfacing industry. While paving miles and miles of roads throughout South Dakota, he was making the company a leader in the grading and paving industry.

Being the innovator that Wayne was, he saw an opportunity to expand business and build an even stronger team by purchasing a concrete batch plant. If anyone had any doubt that Wayne was taking his company into the next century other than a leader in the construction industry – he was going to prove otherwise. He spent his entire life as an advocate of and for the construction industry.

Spending more than 50 years in the highway construction industry, Wayne had a hand in building, rebuilding or repairing many of the highways across South Dakota. He will be remembered in the industry for his willingness to tackle the toughest of projects, and his "get it done" attitude and consistent leadership both at work and at home. Lending a hand whenever he could, he was always willing to provide guidance and direction to anyone in the industry and provide help to those in need.

In 2004 he received the AGC of South Dakota Golden Hard Hat Award; 2011 he was inducted into the Transportation Hall of Fame and in 2021 he received the South Dakota Community Foundation's Hometown Hero award for his passion and commitment to helping to improve the lives of others, as well as communities across the state.

His service to the citizens of South Dakota was not limited to his work as a highway construction contractor. He also served on the Children's Home Society Board of Directors from 1998-2004 and is past President of both the YMCA and Sioux Valley Hospital Board of Directors in Sioux Falls.

Wayne's passion for building led him to purchase a commercial building construction company and in 1982, Dave Gustafson & Co, moved their headquarters to Rapid City and formed a new parent company, Heavy Constructors, Inc. and its divisions Gustafson Builders and Excavating Specialists.

In 1991, Wayne and Jackie moved to Rapid City where they made many lifelong friends. In 2000, they began traveling to Mesa, Arizona in the winters and started a new home of family and friends at Red Mountain Ranch. Together they enjoyed traveling, golf, tennis, card games & following his beloved Northwestern Wildcats whom he continued to be an active alumnus and made several trips each fall to see the Wildcats play football.

In 2007, Jackie passed away and Wayne continued to travel to Arizona where he met a very special woman Bev Kaiser. Together they were able to share several years together in Arizona and Rapid City.

Survivors include his daughter Janelle Sandman and her husband Pete of Sioux City, IA, his son David Gustafson and his wife Maureen of Rapid City , SD and Steven Gustafson and his wife Cindy of Oswego, IL and Bev Kaiser of Surprise, AZ

Other survivors include his grandchildren and great grandchildren Steven (Shian) Sandman and their children Payton and Osten of Rapid City, SD, Jenna Sandman of Destin, FL and Katie (Andrew) Bergfeld of Cedar Falls, IA

Samantha Gustafson of Atlanta, GA, Erin Gustafson of Atlanta, GA, Caleb (Sydney) Stanley and Lydia of Gilbert, AZ, Ryan Gustafson of Rapid City, SD and Kyle Gustafson of St. Louis, MO and his 2 brother in-laws Jim (Bonnie) Mann of Atlanta, GA and Keith Brown of Sioux Falls.

A host of cousins, nieces and nephews and the many lifelong friends whom he knew and loved survives him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline in 2007 and his only sibling Joan (Gustafson) Brown in 2017.

Wayne was a mentor to many and a friend to all. To honor his memory pay someone a visit or lend a hand. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Children's Home Society or the YMCA c/o David Gustafson 3307 Flint Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Calvary Lutheran Church. Burial to follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Arrowhead Country Club. Wear your purple and GO WILDCATS.