She was born July 8, 1932, at rural Goodland, the daughter of William T. and Hazel Harper Connolly. She was a graduate of Goodland High School and attended nursing school at Garden City. A longtime Burlington, Colo., resident, moving from Denver to Hutchinson in October 2003, she was a retired registered nurse and was the Residential Program Coordinator at Dynamic Dimensions Inc., Burlington, Colo. She belonged to First Church of God, Hutchinson.

On Dec. 29, 1957, she married George W. Gustin at Weskan. He died two days after she did on Dec. 11, 2003. Survivors include: a son, Brian Gustin and wife, Marcia, Colby; a daughter, Kay Carney and husband, John, Hutchinson; a brother, Rex Connolly, Thornton, Colo.; and two grandchildren, Bethany and Lindsay Carney, both of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial service will be held at a later date at Burlington, Colo. Burial will be in Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County or Dynamic Dimensions Inc., Burlington, Colo., both in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.