Corey Gacusana

Corey Gacusana passed away on March 18th of 2026 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Scotland, South Dakota following a long-term illness. A celebration of life will be held March 28th, at 10:00 am at Roseni Lutheran Church in the downstairs fellowship hall. Burial to be done at a later date.

Corey Marin Gacusana, 82, was born on May 17, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Alice (Tully) Gacusana and Mariano Gacusana. He grew up in Lincoln, where he attended primary school and graduated from Lincoln High School.

Shortly after graduation, Corey joined the United States Marine Corps and attended the University of Nebraska for three years, initially pursuing a degree in architecture. During this time, he developed an adoration for working with horses—learning to care for, ride, and jump them—and co-ran a business managing a stable and renting horses on the east side of Pioneer’s Park in Lincoln.

In 1965, Corey transitioned from college to begin an apprenticeship in engineering and surveying, working in Omaha and Grand Island, Nebraska. His prior experience in working with horses along with the move to Sioux City, Iowa, became a real strong point for his future career and meeting the love of his life.

When Corey moved to Sioux City, he met, Gayle (Klemme) in 1977. The couple married on September 22, 1979. His apprenticeship in Nebraska led to a career as an engineering technician with a construction company based in Muscatine, Iowa.

Corey’s work provided him and Gayle the opportunity to live and travel throughout the country, including time spent in Farmington, New Mexico; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Morrow Bay, California; and South Dakota. Following his retirement, they settled on their farm in Spink, South Dakota.

His strength in recalling attention to detail was reflecting upon what was most important to him in life. Corey was dedicated to serving the Lord through Roseni Church. He enjoyed being a part of the worship team, running the PA system, and traveling as a missionary. God’s love shown through Corey’s innate ability to brighten the mood with a comedic comment, and love for his family, as if they were his own kin. He is still survived by the ones whom he chose as his family even after Gayle’s passing; he believed love came from trust, and he trusted those of whom he knew, and those who knew and loved him.