Robert Carroll Rustad
June 3, 1932 - January 22, 2021
Memorial Service
- Note: A private memorial services will be held for immediate family at 1 PM on Tuesday, January 26th at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Christopher Staley presiding. The funeral will be streamed via the First Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Robert "Bob" Carroll Rustad 88, of St. Ansgar died Friday, January 22, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar. A private memorial services will be held for immediate family at 1 PM on Tuesday, January 26th at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Christopher Staley presiding. It will be streamed on the church's facebook page. Bob was born June 3rd, 1932 to Carroll and Lila (Ruehlow) Rustad in Otranto township. Attending school through eighth grade in Mona and then coming to St. Ansgar High School graduating in 1950. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Anita Thorson, on October 21, 1951. To this union, six children were born. Bob started crop farming while in high school, milking Holsteins, bailing hay, and raising cattle, keeping one dairy cow for milk up until his retirement. Taking a break from farming to do active military service, being inducted on June 17, 1952 and discharged on December 15, 1954. Even in retirement he continued to wear his stripped bib overalls while working in his shop. He worked part time at Wold's Service Station in the 70's. He was baptized and confirmed at Mona Lutheran Church and a member of First Lutheran Church since his marriage in 1951. For many years, Bob was a 4-H leader and operated his own stump grinding machine. He was a church officer. He was a member of the American Legion Unit 358 St. Ansgar, for 66 years. He enjoyed playing cards, listening to old time music and putting jig saw puzzles together. His favorite past times were teasing/playing with grandchildren and great grandchildren and watching sports; especially the St. Ansgar Saints, Twins, Hawkeyes and Iowa State. Left to cherish his memory include his children: Debra (Dan) Freeman of St. Ansgar, Dennis of Des Moines, Duane (Patti) of Grafton, Dave (Cindy) of St. Ansgar and Deanna Rustad of Waterloo; grandchildren: Jon (Traci) Heimer, Joseph, Danyelle & Rachel Freeman (friend Cole); Bayley (Frank) Anshutz, Violet & Opal Rustad; Aaron & Megan Rustad, Taylor (Brian) Huinker, & Klay (Nikki) Rustad; Jamie Rustad, Mandi (Casey) Graham, & Tyce (friend Ashley) Rustad; great-grandchildren: Shelby, Zach & Ashley Heimer, Drew & Emmy Freeman; Elliot Anshutz; Wyatt Huinker; Ledger, Madden & Dawsyn Graham, Nelson & Bennett Rustad; step-grandchildren: Jeff (Bobbi) Freeman, James Freeman and Jennifer (Terry) Rodemaker. Step-great-grandchildren: Nicholas & Jessie Jo Freeman, and Coryssa, Makaya and Brayden Tucke; Eleanor Alonzo; Sister Cleo Kolpin, sister in law Delores Feldt and 3 nieces and 3 nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Anita in 2011, parents, mother and father in-law, infant daughter, Gloria in 1953, brother in law Ray Kolpin, and sister in law Arlene Tesch. Memorials can be given to First Lutheran Church Building Fund, St. Ansgar Booster Club, American Legion Unit 358 St.Ansgar, or Good Samaritan Center.
