Nola Ilene Gustafson
Nola Ilene Gustafson (nee Marberger); age 83; of Western Springs, IL; passed away on November 25, 2021 surrounded by her husband and children. Beloved wife of John Arthur Gustafson for an unbelievable 57 years. Loving mother of Ilene (Tom) Eckert, Karin Nola (Dean) Teglia, and John Franklin (Jennifer) Gustafson. Devoted grandmother of Tommy, Elle, Kari, and Jasper John. Cherished sister-in-law of Joe Denaro. Dear aunt of Mark and Susan Denaro. Nola was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Verle Marberger; sister, Teddi Denaro; and parents-in-law, Elmer and Mabel Gustafson.
Nola earned a Bachelor of Music with distinction from Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. She was awarded the Master of Music with distinction in piano at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. She was a student of Jose Echaniz (Eastman School of Music) and Menahem Pressler (Indiana University). Nola taught at the University of Vermont, Indiana University, and private piano. Nola has performed extensively in the Chicago area as a soloist and collaborative artist. She was an active performing member of the Chicago Musician Club of Women, the Illinois State Music Teacher Association, Western Springs Music Club, and Salt Creek Music Club. Nola was a faithful member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Nola loved her Savior, her family, and her music.
Family and friends are invited to meet at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale, 139 East First Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521 for visitation at 9am until time of funeral service at 10am on Saturday, December 4th. Interment will be at the Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery, Bridgeport, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale or Western Springs Music Club C/O Melissa Raub, 423 Pershing Ave., Wheaton, IL 60189.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I know Nola is now with our Lord. My you find peace in rhis knowledge
Love you all so so much. My hear it heavy but with each and every member of the Gustafson family and I am so thankful to have each and every one of you in my life.
To Mr Gustafson, Eileen and Karen: My heart is heavy to hear of Mrs Gustafson’s passing. I have so many memories of her. She was such an accomplished musician, a wonderful mother, and an inspiration to all. I remember so many fun times on our trips to Europe! In later years, she was such a help and inspiration to my mom. They spoke often, and mom took great solace in their friendship. Our prayers are with all of you and we will always smile when we think of her. Candy
Dear Gustofson family,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your wife, mom, and grandma.
I grew up in the house on Stone Ave in LaGrange, behind her. I had a very short walk to her piano lessons. 🤗 I’m grateful for the part she had in my up bringing.
Good to read she loved her Savior; I look forward to seeing her in heaven. What a wonderful assurance for us!
Dear Art,
I am so eternally grateful to God to have had the opportunity to have both you and Nola in my life. What a beautiful and loving soul she was. I’m also thankful that she is at peace and resting in the arms of our Lord. IKnow that I am praying for you Art, that the comforter be with you and give you peace as only He can.
Blessings to you always,
Pat
Dear Art,
I was saddened to hear of Nola’s death. She was such a gracious, talented, and kind person. I always enjoyed seeing both of you at LSTC events, and I will certainly miss her gentle smile and bright eyes. May light eternal shine on Nola, and may you be comforted in you grief by our Savior who shares in our sorrows. Nora was a blessing for so many!
With affection and sympathy,
Esther
Dear Art and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Nola. She was an amazing woman and a wonderful friend. She never forgot us after our move to Wisconsin and I will miss our communications. I cherish the memories of our years together at Grace Church. May God comfort you and give yuh His peace.
With love,
Barbara
Dear Art,
I join those who share your grief and good memories of Nola. She was always gracious and generous. I pray the hope ;of resurrection comforts you in the days ahead. Nola was a woman of faith. We can share her hope this Advent season.
Philip Hougen
I greatly admired Nola, her elegance, musicianship and her faith. She was very special to me as we both shared a strong connection to Menahem Pressler. She is now with the choirs of Angels praising her Lord.
My condolences to her wonderful family she so loved.
I’m so very sorry to hear of Nola’s passing. Please know that the LaFollette’s send their condolences.
Dear Art,
I was so saddened to hear of Nola’s death and remember the kindness and grace she showed so well every time I saw the two of you at LSTC. Please know you are in my prayers as you mourn this loss and celebrate Nola’s life — the one she had here on earth and her now eternal life with our Lord. May light perpetual shine upon her and may God’s comfort be with you and your family!
Blessings,
Cheryl Hoth
Dear Art and Family,
I am so sad to hear of Nola’s passing. I will always remember her beautiful smile that would light up the entire room. Such a wonderful, decent and loving person to family, friends and everyone she came in contact with. My heart and prayers are with the entire Gustafson family. Cherish the great and many memories you have.
God bless you all!
Dan Gerding
Dear Art and family: I was so sorry to hear of Nola’s passing but celebrate her entering into our Heavenly Father’s presence for eternity. I cherish so many fond memories of the years we shared teaching Sunday School together and seeing the children grow up through their years of Sunday School and youth activities at Grace Lutheran Church. May you be comforted by God’s presence during this season of celebrating Jesus” birth. Thinking of you, Debbie Granger
To Ilene & Family. I am so sorry for your loss. While I never had the pleasure of meeting/knowing Miss Nola, I am deeply touched by the memories and kind words shared by you and others. Her musical gift and her faith is a beautiful legacy. I look forward to meeting her in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Oh, Art. I am so sad. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will never forget listening to Nola play Chopin at breakfast in your living room, and that generous manner and wonderful smile that was always with her. She is truly a great friend to me. There is truly a special place in heaven for her.
Dear Art,
You and Nola were a perfect pair. Your relationship exuded a vibrant love – for each other and for the Lord. This inspired you to be so gracious to so many of us. I have a beautiful handwritten note from Nola about some music I shared with her. The title of the composition was: REMEMBERING. Holy God, in so many ways we remember your servant Nola, and we give thanks for the legacies of her beautiful life.
Sincerely,
Harvard Stephens
Dear Art and Family,
Thanks for contacting me. Nola and I have been friends since 4th grade. We have gone in different directions but always kept in contact. Knowing her developed my love for classical music. She has always been a very special and loved person.
With love,
Winnie Wilhelm
My deepest condolences on the loss of Nola. She was a wonderful colleague, pianist, and mentor, and gave generously her time and talent to other musicians and students. She will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Emi Murata
Musicians Club of Women
Salt Creek Music Teachers Association
My limited professional acquaintance with Nola Gustafson and her husband came through their volunteer service to the WS Joint Chapters’ Workshop, when the Salt Creek Chapter was responsible for providing refreshments for the Workshop held at Wheaton College the year I was Workshop Chair. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson shared the large job of coordinating and delivering the food that day, and I greeted them once more at a later Workshop which they attended together. I had no knowledge of Nola’s extraordinary musical background and skills at the time, but our brief working relationship and my glimpse into the relationship of Nola and her husband were inspirational. One can see and recognize exceptional character, even without long or deep contact. It exemplifies to me what it means for a person to humbly give her utmost in matters both great and small—with no expectation of personal return, except knowledge of a job well done, (with help from one’s loving life partner.) Thank you, Nola. Many of us honor your memory today.
I am overwhelmed to learn of Nola’s passing. This beautiful soul was my first roommate at The Eastman School of Music. That year, her father passed away. She played the organ at his funeral and was somehow serene. I was a little Jewish girl who simply did not understand. Thus began our long talks together – the little Lutheran and the little Jewess, sharing our hopes and dreams and yes, our respective faiths. I have loved her for almost seventy years.
Sharon Mann