Reverend Kenneth P. Rust

Celebrating the life of……
Pastor Kenneth Philip Rust, our beloved brother in Christ and faithful servant to friends and family, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at Eventide Senior Living Community in Fargo, ND. Ken was 87 years old.

Kenneth was born August 21, 1930 in Galesburg, North Dakota, the first of two children to Oscar and Pauline Rust. He was baptized at the Elm River Lutheran Church in Galesburg on September 20, 1930. Kenneth and his family lived on their family farm for the duration of his early years. During this time, Kenneth was involved with helping on the farm, getting into mischief with his younger sister, Edris (Rust) Meier, and attending elementary and secondary school at the Galesburg Public School where he eventually graduated in May 1947. The farming life captured his interest as a young boy. Ken had a passion for nature and all the challenges that farming could bring. He spent long hours in the fields around their North Dakota farm until his beloved Concordia College called where he began his lifelong calling in the Ministry to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ken attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and later graduated in 1951 with a Degree in Mathematics. During his time at Concordia, Kenneth met the love of his life, Bonnie Marie Klai. They had many adventures together and shared their lives and dreams. On June 14, 1958, Ken and Bonnie exchanged marriage vows at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND. They made their home briefly in Grand Forks ND, before moving to St. Paul, MN where Ken attended Luther Seminary in preparation for the ordained ministry. They accepted a call to St. Johns American Lutheran in Sterling, NE where they lived from July 1961 to November 1970. Ken and his family then relocated to Grace Lutheran Church in Belgrade, MN from December 1970 to May 1990. Their home was blessed with one daughter, Heidi Marie. Ken was a devoted husband and father and was so proud of his wife’s achievements as a Registered Nurse and that his daughter, Heidi, followed that same compassionate path of care, kindness, and devotion to those in need.

In May 1990 Ken semi-retired and, with Bonnie by his side, they moved to Fergus Falls, MN where Ken began part -time employment at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church until his retirement in 1999. Retirement was hard for Ken though as he was always called back to helping out with the Church in any capacity as needed, so he continued as a part time Pastor until 2006. Ken never truly retired from his work for the Lord. During their later years, Kenneth and Bonnie also found time to travel to some amazing places such as the Holy lands, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and countless trips to New Hampshire to visit their daughter and granddaughter in their home.

One of Ken’s treasured memories that he spoke of often was that God had given him the opportunity to preach the Gospel to his family throughout his life. He was humbled to have not only baptized and confirmed his only granddaughter, Rebecca, but in June 2016 he was also able to preside over the marriage of Rebecca and her husband, Kyle. It was his last pastoral act in a long and loving life of faithful servitude to the Lord, his Church congregations, as well as ministering to countless family and friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Rust, his parents Pauline and Oscar Rust, and his younger sister, Edris Meier.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Heidi Marie Erdahl, of Fargo, ND; granddaughter, Rebecca Marie Iverson, a teacher at Fargo South High School in Fargo, ND and her husband Kyle Iverson, a Broadcaster for WDAY Radio. Ken is also survived by his brother-in-law, Herbert Meier (Alexandria, MN); a sister-in-law Fran Bertheuson of Denver, CO, and another sister-in-law Judy (Buddy) Fetters of Cuero, TX. Ken is also blessed with many nieces and nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends who feel like family. We thank God for the gift of faith and the gift of eternal life shared with Ken and for the host of family and friends that give tribute to him by their continued support of his family.
Soli Deo Gloria! – To God alone be the glory!



Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2017, with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and resuming one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN
Clergy: Reverends Tom Peterson and Eldonna Hazen
Interment: Elm River Cemetery, Galesburg, North Dakota
Arrangements provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com