Constance Lee Gust
Constance Lee Gust, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and faithful follower of her Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 71, in the quietness of her home, with her family by her side. Constance (Connie) was born on January 6, 1954, to the late David and Leona Webster of Midland, Michigan.
She was the devoted wife of 50 years to her husband, Kenneth Gust, and mother to her beloved daughter, Nikole Reece, affectionately known as her little “Charlie Brown.” Some of their favorite family memories were long road trips and special family vacations that often included horses.
Connie instilled in Nikole a lifelong love for horses (and ponies) and was so excited to watch her grandchildren grow up with that same love. Connie lived for her Lord and family, particularly her three precious grandchildren, Jack, Henry, and Charlie Jean.
As “daycare” for each of her grandchildren from birth until December of 2025, Constance sacrificed so much of her time to ensure her grand babies knew Jesus and the goodness of her God. Jackaroo was her songbird, who would rock in a rocking chair and sing songs with Grandma all day long. She regularly shared that she saw the goodness of Jesus in her sweet Henry boy, who loved to tease her and play goofy games. And Charlie was her one and only treasured granddaughter, who reminded her of those early days of being a young momma to her own “Charlie” (Nikole). Her grandchildren will forever cherish the special gifts of story-telling, fun drawings, play-dough creations, and precious notes from their Nana Gust. All who knew Connie, knew she was a “prayer warrior,” one who fervently brought her requests for those she loved, as well as for those she barely knew, before the throne of grace. She spent time taking every question and every hurt before the Lord. She taught her grandchildren to run to God first in prayer before getting frustrated or disheartened by their circumstances.
When the family looks back upon the different events of their lives, they can see so many answered prayers that Connie prayed over them.
Along with seeking God in prayer, Connie was a giver of good gifts. She demonstrated her love for Christ by giving of herself and resources to others.
Connie was known on many occasions to have sent special gifts to extended family members or friends who were in need. She loved to give good gifts, mimicking the greatest giver of gifts – her Father, the giver of eternal life (Romans 6:23) and life abundantly (John 10:10). Perhaps the most treasured gift Connie gave her family and friends was time; time spent listening, praying, singing, and praising God for his goodness.
In the weeks leading to her passing, the family’s standard “goodbye” became “See you in a minute,” taken from 2 Peter 3:8 which says, “One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” indicating the reality that God is not bound by time and those with him now live beyond it. With this considered, Connie will be in glory for just a “minute” before turning around to welcome her family home to glory. The brother of Jesus writes in James 4:14 “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”.
Connie’s life here on earth passed quickly, but she leaves behind a lasting legacy to her family and all who knew her of a life well lived for Jesus, a life of faithfulness to her precious Savior. In her final weeks, she expressed her desire to be found faithful to Jesus and to suffer well.
You did it Mums, you lost your battle with cancer but won the victory in Jesus.
You fought the good fight, you finished your race, you kept the faith. Well done.
Constance was preceded in death by her parents, David and Leona Webster, and her brothers, Dennis Webster and Michael Webster. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Gust; her daughter, Nikole (Paul) Reece; her cherished grandchildren: Jack Kelly, Henry Paul, and Charlie Jean; her step-son, Kenneth Gust; her sisters: Luana LaLonde, Patricia Webster, and Jamie (Tim) Andrick; and her long time prayer partner and sister-in-law, Nancy Lynn Gust.
A celebration of Constance’s life and the hope she found in Christ will take place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home in Gladwin. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until the time of service. Burial to follow on March 6, 2025 at Ridge Cemetery in Gladwin. Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the family’s wishes.