Madeline Rustad

Madeline (Helleland) Rustad, age 97, died Monday, October 21, 2013 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, MN. Madeline was born to Inga and Rasmus Helleland on December 6, 1915, in Rushford, MN. Her father emigrated from Norway at an early age. They settled in the Rushford area where they raised their family and farmed south of Rushford near Bratsburg. Madeline grew up doing many chores including milking cows by hand at 5 in the morning. She was one of six children and attended Anderson County School until the 8th grade. During a dance one night in Rushford she met the love of her life, Lester Rustad. On September 1, 1938 they united in marriage at the Rushford Lutheran parsonage. For their honeymoon they traveled to St. Paul to go to the Minnesota State Fair.Together they raised 3 children; Ilene, Lyle, and Daryl and always considered themselves blessed. Most of her life she worked extremely hard on the farm where they raised crops, livestock, and primarily chickens. Madeline enjoyed being involved in the community especially helping with 4H and church activities. She particularly enjoyed her large garden packed full of vegetables and flowers, crocheting, playing cards, and loved to bake and cook, including lefsa and several Norwegian dishes. She will be also remembered for making numerous kitchen hand towels that her son, Lyle would distribute to Native American reservations around the Midwest. Madeline will be sadly missed. Madeline is survived by children, Ilene Larson of Rushford, Lyle Rustad of St. Cloud, and Rev. Daryl (Cheryl) Rustad of Tanzania, Africa; grandchildren, Heidi Lee, Steven and James Larson, Ara, Dane, and Britt Rustad; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Sylvia (Helleland) Youmans; sisters-in-law, Helen Rustad and LaVaughn Helleland; many nieces, nephews, and friends.She is preceded in death by her husband, Lester; siblings, Robert, Idella, Milton, and Wallace; and son-in-law, Mike Larson.Services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 26, 2013, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Peterson. Visitation is from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. on Saturday at the church.Madeline's family prefers memorials to Highland Prairie Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Lutheran Home.Leave a memory of Madeline, sign her online guestbook and view her tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/435703