John H. Gustafson, 60, died Sunday, March 25, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Memorial services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Thursday in Brookings at the Eidsness Funeral Home. John was born January 16, 1952, to John R. and Doris (Vickerman) Gustafson in Brookings. He received his education and lived his entire life in Brookings. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Constellation from 1973 to 1975. After the Navy, he worked in sales for many years at Langland's Home Center. He then became a realtor, the profession that he truly loved. John married Dawn Kendall on July 2, 1993. The joys of his heart quickly followed in John M., Brittni, and Joshua. John was very active in his real estate profession. He enjoyed helping and working with people and mentoring other realtors. He was named local realtor of the year in 2003, 2004, and 2009 and was also named South Dakota Realtor of the year in 2009. In addition, John served as a South Dakota Director for several years and was the President of the South Dakota Association of Realtors in 2008. John was a devoted Christian and served as a Trustee at the First Presbyterian Church for several years prior to his illness. John courageously fought heart disease for many years, but never more valiantly than this past year. His strength is truly an inspiration. Although incredibly ill, with the help of Dick Peterson, John fought hard for a dialysis unit in Brookings that could not only provide service to him but to others as well. Survivors include his wife, Dawn and his children, John M., Brittni, and Joshua, all of Brookings; his sisters; Vivian (Dennis) Langland and Susan (Ron) Dobesh of Brookings; a brother, Robert (Kathy) Gustafson of Brookings; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; John R. and Doris Gustafson; and his sister and brother-in-law; Joanne and Joe Fuks.