Dean Gushwa

dean gushwa
Dean A. Gushwa, 55, 117 22nd Avenue North, Fargo, ND, died Sunday, April 13, 2003, at his home in Fargo. Dean Gushwa was born June 16, 1947, in Jamestown, ND, to Helen and Wayne Gushwa. He grew up on a farm southwest of Jamestown with his sister Judy and brother Doug. Moving up through eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse, Dean went on to graduate from Jamestown High School. He earned a BS in physics from NDSU in 1969. While attending NDSU he met and later married Vicki Ness in August 1970. As a member of the Air Force ROTC he received his commission in the USAF in June 1969 and entered pilot training at Randolph Air Force base in San Antonio, TX. Dean served his country as a fighter pilot from 1970-1974. Dean?s military service took him many places including California, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and New Mexico before he left the Air Force, moving to Ames, Iowa, to attend Iowa State University?s veterinary medicine program. While in veterinary school Dean flew with the Iowa National Guard in Des Moines, Iowa. Sons Adam and Nathan were born while still in Ames. The family moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota, in 1979, where Dean began his veterinary career. In 1981, Dean and his family moved to Fargo where he joined Valley Veterinary Hospital. He practiced there and at Southgate Veterinary Hospital until his illness forced him to retire in May of 2002. Dean was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and camping with family and friends. His interest in prehistoric and fur trade era Americans led to his hobbies of flint-knapping, hide tanning, and other stone-age arts. He freely shared his knowledge, skills, and passions with all who were interested. Even while engaged in these activities, he always held his family dearest to him, never failing to have the time to help and love his sons and wife. Although increasingly limited by his physical condition from the spring of 2000, Dean maintained his particular sense of logic, wit, and humor. At the time of his death, Dean was surrounded by family and the best wishes of all his friends. He will be remembered by many. Dean is survived by his wife, Vicki; sons, Adam and Nathan; mother, Helen, of Jamestown, North Dakota; brother, Doug (Gail), of Pocatello, Idaho; sister, Judy (Jerry) Buda, of Forrest Lake, Minnesota; and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church, Fargo. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. in Boulger Funeral Home Chapel, Fargo. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.

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