Roger Rustad

Roger L. Rustad, 91, of Fergus Falls, died September 26, 2024, at the Frazee Care Center, Frazee, Minnesota. 

Roger was born August 19, 1933, on the family farm in rural Ashby, Minnesota, the only child of Carl C. and Emelie (Swensen) Rustad. He attended District 9 Country School until September of 1944, when the family moved to Fergus Falls. Roger was baptized at the Pelican Lake Lutheran Church in Ashby and confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1951. During his junior and senior years of high school Roger worked at the Barkley Hotel as a Bellhop and Clerk. In 1952, he attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton and graduated in 1954.

On February 14, 1954, Roger married Virginia Bohn at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After they were married, they moved to Minneapolis where he worked at International Milling and then attended the University of Minnesota. After graduating in March of 1957 with a degree in Finance, Roger went to work for Powers Department Store in Minneapolis as an assistant buyer in the furniture department. While living in Minneapolis, Roger joined the National Guard and served for 6 years. In October of 1959, they returned to Fergus Falls where he went to work for Raymond Motor, which was later purchased by Hyman Freightways. He was the terminal manager for 32 years, which included sales for Fergus Falls, three other terminals and the surrounding area. In December of 1994, Roger retired from Hyman Freightways after 35 years of dedicated service, bringing along with him many friends from across the state.

Ever the visionary, in June of 1966, Roger and Virginia purchased a small corner grocery for $600 and moved the building to West Douglas Avenue. After extensive remodeling, it became a wonderful family home where they lived until 1972, at which time they purchased a farm Northeast of Elizabeth.

With his wife Virginia, Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, birding, attending auctions, and flea markets. He also had an interest in family history and compiled many volumes of stories and information which will be enjoyed by his children, grandchildren, and beyond. Roger loved his pets and had a large number of dogs over the years, starting with St. Bernards and Golden Retrievers. This began the long parade of dogs who made their way to their doorstep.

Roger was active in several conservation organizations and is a lifetime member of the Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club. He was forward thinking in wanting future generations to be able to enjoy and appreciate our wild spaces as much as he and Virginia did. Together with a group of like-minded people they developed a plan that would later become the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. He served on the original board of directors of the Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for the first 9 years. In his lifetime, Roger has planted over 15,000 trees.

In 1973, Roger approached the editor of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal about publishing an annual National Hunting and Fishing Day tabloid with Roger supplying articles from local writers. The tabloid was about 20 pages, with the last issue being on September 24, 1988. Another event that took place annually was the Save the Wetlands Smelt Fry, in which he was very involved with planning and working with others to make it a success. The last smelt fry was held in 1996.

Roger volunteered at the Otter Tail County Historical Society, where he researched sportsman’s clubs, gun clubs, decoy carvers, resorts, and early hunting and fishing in Otter Tail County. He created a reference library at the historical society that has been used by many people doing research.

Roger truly loved people and loved visiting with them. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and positive outlook.

Preceding Roger in death are his parents, numerous relatives, and friends.

Surviving Roger is his wife of 70 years, Virginia, daughters, Sherrie Waite, Kathleen (Scott) Robinson; grandchildren, Andy (Emily) Robinson, Elizabeth (Jordan) Davis; great grandchildren, Juniper Robinson, Levi Robinson, Gideon Robinson, Orrin Roger Davis, Annalise Davis, Isabelle Davis, Thaddeus Davis, and a new arrival in March of 2025; nephew Scott (Jane) Ferber and their daughter Cecelia Ferber, great niece Katie (Gordon) Armour.

Special thanks to Judy Hunter for all the adventures she took Roger on this past year and to the Frazee Care Center for the excellent, compassionate care they provided to Roger and the family. Also, a very special thank you to all Roger and Virginia’s neighbors who have always been there for help and support. 

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024, at Olson Funeral and Cremation with a public prayer service at 6:30. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, MN.

Interment: Augustana Lutheran Cemetery, Elizabeth, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com