Gus T. Poulos, age 97, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024, in Sioux Falls. He was born in the small mountain village of Dimitra, Greece, on January 7, 1927, to Theodore and Maria (Papadimitriou) Poulos.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 5-7 PM, with a Trisagion service beginning at 6:30 PM at Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Ave. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10 AM at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1936 S. Summit Ave. The interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.

In May 1955, Gus immigrated to the United States and worked at the Townsend Hotel in Casper, Wyoming. Starting as a dishwasher, he worked his way up to head chef. Gus went back to Greece and was united into marriage to Eleni Karras on November 6, 1960, in Athens, Greece. After honeymooning in Rhodes, Greece, Gus brought Eleni to the United States in January 1961. In 1964, they chose to be closer to family and moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they raised their four children: Ted, Mary, Vickie, and Diana.

Gus loved to cook and, in stereotypical Greek fashion, owned a restaurant. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he owned and operated the Rushmore Café in downtown Sioux Falls, often feeding new recruits in the Selective Service. In the mid-1970s, he sold the Rushmore Café and then owned and operated The Western Steak House, serving the finest meats in Sioux Falls. Patrons enjoyed sitting in the "jail" and hanging out with a life-sized portrait of Billy The Kid. After over 20 years of running the restaurant, Gus finally retired in 1990, yet he continued to cook at home even after retirement.

Gus was blessed with seven grandchildren. He loved being a "papoo" and loved regaling many stories to them. He offered sage advice on working hard to achieve the American dream and had a saying in Greek that translated to "bean by bean, the sack will fill." He was generous of his time and caring to all. He was known as "The Bubble Gum Man" to many, as he often carried Bazooka gum with him wherever he went. He was also passionate about his exercise, whether it was at the wellness center or cruising around HyVee with his cart, even at 97.

He was a devoted member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, serving as President of the church for one year in the 1980s and was a member of the AHEPA. He was a loyal steward of the church, helping wherever was necessary.

Grateful to have shared his life are his beloved wife of almost 64 years, Eleni; children, Ted (Meg) Poulos, Mary (Paul) Thorstenson, Vickie (Tom) Mc Guire, and Diana Poulos; and seven grandchildren, Evan Poulos, Paige Poulos, Quinn Thorstenson, Dean Mc Guire, Eleni Mc Guire, Dane Poulos, and Madelyn Poulos.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Demos, Voula, Anastasios, Vaso, and Paul.