Louise Rustad

Louise Agneta (Nelson) Rustad, 81, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls.  She was born March 8, 1928, in Fergus Falls, the daughter of Albert J. and Hilda (Bergerson) Nelson. She was raised on the family farm in Dane Prairie Township and was baptized and confirmed at Swan Lake Lutheran Church. In recent times, Joel and Louise were members at Zion Lutheran Church for many years. Louise graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston in 1945, the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis in 1948, and attended the University of Minnesota for two years, majoring in social work. She was certified as an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA in 1986. Louise had many personal interests including the history of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County, the local public library, the Historical Society, and a variety of civic projects. She also made many contributions to the Zion Lutheran congregation. After working a short time at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company after high school, Louise began her lifelong professional service to the Lord. Providing a variety of managerial, Christian Education, and social services within many Christian organizations, Louise served at the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota (where Joel also served as an intern pastor), Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, Luther Theological Seminary, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. In 1977 Louise joined the Pioneer Retirement Community where her contributions included an innovative activities program, expertise in care of elders, and her sensitivity to that special population. She retired from Pioneer Retirement Community as Assistant to the Chaplain. On January 14, 1996, she married Rev. Dr. Joel O. Rustad at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Joel brought two adult children to their marriage, and they were a source of great pleasure to Louise.  Their children include O.J. (Ruth) Rustad and Noralee (Scott) Larson. Their grandchildren include Andrea, Linnea, and Jonathan Rustad and Ian and Nathaneal Larson. In 1996 they lived in Lithuania where Joel served as a Professor of Theology. Joel and Louise then established homes in St. Paul and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Pioneer Retirement Community has been their home for the last several years. Louise is survived by her husband, Joel, of Fergus Falls; their children and grandchildren; a sister, Ingvarda Hanson of Fergus Falls; a brother, Robert Nelson of Richfield; sisters-in-law Buu Nelson of St. Paul and Lila Nelson of Minneapolis; nieces Marcia Holt and Karen (Youcef) Abdelmoumene; and great nieces and nephews Anna (Jared) Rendell, Christopher and Amy Ferguson, Aasma, Mohamed, Abdellah, and Khadjia Abdelmoumene. Louise will also be remembered by a large number of close personal friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother Milford and his first wife, Clarissa; her brother, Marion; a sister-in-law, Corrine Nelson; a brother-in-law, Charles Hanson; and a nephew, Stuart Nelson. Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church Clergy:  Reverend Marv Abrahamson Interment:  Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com