Bernice P. Gustin, A.K.A. “Polly,” “Pudge,” 92, passed away May 6, 2019, at her home in Helena, MT.
Polly was born to Sam and Annabelle (Flatters) Stephenson in rural Foster County, ND, on June 23, 1926, the 11th of 13 children. Polly graduated from Hazleton High School in 1944. She married Leo F. Gustin September 1, 1947. Of this union six lovely children were born.
Polly is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Leo F. Gustin, (2003), her grandson, Dylan Etchingham, (2005), her parents and 11 siblings. Polly is survived by her children Mary Kay (Dan) Mitzel, Bismarck, ND; Jon (Karol), Helena, MT; Nancy (Michael) Etchingham, Bozeman, MT; Stephen (Djalai Babazadeh), Watertown, MA; Joseph, Great Falls, MT; Thomas (Lori), Helena, MT; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and her sister Darlene Garland, San Tan Valley, AZ.
Polly’s niece, Sara Garland, beautifully eulogized Polly with these words:
“Farewell, my beloved Aunt Polly. She was beautiful, gracious, irreverent, spiritual, devout, generous, a devoted Mother, and never without a twinkle in her eye. She was unabashedly and passionately in love with Leo and together they were the definition of an elegant and committed couple. What a gift she was to all who knew her.”
Private services will be held at a later date. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Polly.
Jon Metropoulos says
Tom and Family: Please accept our condolences on the passing of your Mother. Jon and Theresa Metropoulos
Paul Cleary says
To the Gustin family:
Pudge was such a great person. Not only was she my Godmother, she was a loyal friend of my mother Audrey for 60 years. She always welcomed me, my wife and my daughters as family. I love and miss her. May God ease the grief that you feel with her loss.
Paul
Susan Knoll says
We have many great memories of your family and especially Pudge. She was a blessing to my mom and we appreciated that so much! I will miss her laugh! May she rest in peace.
Paul and Susan (Cleary) Knoll
Rich and Sheila (Uhlman) Gray says
Our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your Mother. We have such wonderful memories of both your parents. Sending prayers of strength and comfort during this time of such grief.
Sara Garland says
Farewell, my beloved Aunt Polly. She was beautiful, gracious, irreverent, spiritual, devout, generous, a devoted Mother, and never without a twinkle in her eye. She was unabashedly and passionately in love with Leo and together they were the definition of an elegant and committed couple. What a gift she was to all who knew her. My deepest sympathies to my Gustin cousins.
Kurt and Pam Gustin says
Tom and family: Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mother. We always loved visiting with Pudge. May God grant you all peace during this difficult time.
Ali Poelman says
Sending my love and prayers
Carol Voegele says
I loved to visit with her and her friends when they came to the Bismarck Elks. She had a great sense of humor.
Sam McQuade says
Just learned of Pudge’s passing. So many memories…
Annetta M Sutton says
Pudge was the epitome of the sister in law of the brother in law, who happened to be a priest. No easy task. That is how I came to know her. I loved to watch, listen and hear about the bantering between Ted and Pudge. They loved the same man and it often reminded me of the youngest child competing for attention from the older brother and his wife got in the way. It was hilarious. I loved the three of them very much. One of my favorite moments was when Leo and Pudge asked ME for advice! When I shared it. They listened. Later telling me how much they appreciated it. That was a career high. My love to all the Gustins who I hold with tenderness and deep affection. RIP, Miss Polly. Leo has been waiting. So has Ted.
Jill and Creede Caldwell says
My heartfelt sympathy to you all, especially Tom and Lori. May God comfort you in the days and weeks ahead.
Mary Jane (Berger) & Scott Hewitt says
To the entire Gustin family:
Our deepest sympathy for your loss! Pudge was beautiful inside as well as outside…her smile was contagious & her fashion sense enviable! Your remarkable matriarch will be missed by not only her family but by ALL who knew her… God threw away the mold after he created her; she was a an incredibly endearing individual. Our lives are enriched by knowing her. Prayers for all of you as you deal with this huge void in your lives…
Patrick Lengenfelder says
I considered Leo as a mentor in my career and Leo and Pudge as mentors in my marriage. A part of them will always be with me in who I have become. Know that they were truly loved. God bless.
Mary Jo Stanislao says
Dear Nancy and Michael,
What a lovely tribute to your mother. She was a very elegant woman who lived life well. You were blessed to call her mom. Thinking of you.
Mary Jo
Lori Nagel says
So sorry for each and every one of you in your loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She sure was something. We started out as “work family”. A lot of tax seasons…Leo, Pudge, Nick and I! Long hours peppered with lots of laughter! We ended up with deep and meaningful friendships. We talked about so many things. No subject was taboo. She was smart, funny, curious, grateful and full of love. My visits with her always left us both smiling from ear to ear and bursting with happiness. Took us forever to say goodbye as she would walk with me all the way down the hall before I would get that final hug and down the steps I would go. I will be forever grateful for her and our friendship. Now I can see her with Leo and Nick in some celestial office laughing and visiting. Rest in peace my friends, until we meet again!