GUSTAFSON, JANE ELIZABETH (1936 ~ 2012). The following is an obituary for Jane Gustafson, spouse of former University of Texas baseball coach Cliff Gustafson. The obituary was provided by Harrell Funeral Home of Austin.

Jane Elizabeth Gustafson, beloved wife of Cliff Gustafson, was called home on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, after a lengthy illness. She was 76.

Janie was born February 15, 1936, to Sara Elizabeth and Willard Burt Davenport Jr., in Uvalde County, Texas. She was the oldest of 4 children. Janie graduated from Knippa High School and received a BA from the University of Texas at Austin. She began her teaching career in San Antonio, Texas, and met the love of her life Cliff, a high school baseball coach. Janie and Cliff were married September 19, 1959 and lived in San Antonio where they had 3 children: Jill Ann, Deron Carl, and Jann Elizabeth.

In 1967, they moved to Austin when Cliff accepted the head baseball coaching job at the University of Texas. With Janie by his side, he embarked on one of the most successful coaching careers in college baseball. Janie spent their early years in Austin raising their children, and was always her husband's biggest fan. She began teaching at Crockett High School in Austin in 1972. She loved teaching because she truly loved her students. Unfortunately, Janie had to retire from teaching after suffering a brain aneurysm in the winter of 1980. After that, Janie's focus was on her family and her grandchildren. Then she was Granny, a name that she was proud of and called by many who loved her and knew her.

Janie is predeceased by her parents; her brother Willard Burt Davenport III, and her only son, Deron Carl Gustafson. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Clifford; daughters Jill Balderama and husband Armando, Jann Shepperd and husband Michael, all of Austin; Sister Beverly Turman and husband John, of New Braunfels; brother Chris Davenport and wife Janet, of Magnolia; Sister-in-law Ina Gustafson, of San Antonio; Grandchildren Scott Shepperd and wife Vanessa, Alicia Balderama, Sara-Jane Shepperd, Jake Balderama, Jillian Shepperd, and Crosby Gustafson, all of Austin; and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during Janie's illness. They would also like to thank the medical personnel that took care of her, especially Dr. Warren Thamarus and his aide Marcus for their devoted and reliable care for Janie. They also thank Pastor Kevin Lentz for his numerous visits with Janie in the hospital and at home.

Visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home, located at 4435 Frontier Trail in Austin, TX, on Sunday, December 30, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Janie Gustafson's life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, located at 3701 W. Slaughter Lane in Austin, TX, on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bill Knippa and Pastor Kevin Lentz officiating. There will be a reception at Bethany immediately following the service. Pall bearers are Armando Balderama, Michael Shepperd, Jake Balderama, and Scott Shepperd. There will be a private family burial at the Texas State Cemetery.