Olaves Larsen Rustad, 1850-1941

RUSTAD

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/14/2009 at 06:48:14

Olaves Larsen Rustad was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Sept. 8, 1850. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith by the Rev. Otterbeck at the age of fifteen. He emigrated to America in 1885. First he went to Northwood, Iowa and then to St. Ansgar, Iowa where he worked on a farm for four years. He then came to Emmet County, High Lake township and here he carried mail for five years. He had a route from Wallingford to Hoprig.

In 1890 he was married to Anne Olson and the same year they purchased a farm in High Lake township where they resided until 1916 when they moved to Wallingford. The lived there until March 1939, when he and his wife moved back to the farm to make their home with their son and family.

He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1893.

Mr. Rustad had been in failing health for some time but he never was bedfast. April 20th he suffered a stroke from which he never regained consciousness and passed away April 23 [1941] at 7:45 a. m.

In the year 1914 Mr. Rustad made a trip back to Norway to visit his brothers and sisters and other relatives. He planned to visit there for two months but because of the war situation he returned at the end of the first month.

He helped in the building of the Riverside Lutheran church which he attended until the new church was built in Wallingford. He was an active member in all meetings and organizations of the Lutheran church and enjoyed meeting with others at the Norwegian prayer meetings.

Besides his widow he is survived by a son and daughter, Lewis Rustad of Wallingford, and Mrs. Clara Helgason of Cyrus, Minn., and eleven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday of last week at the Wallingford church with the Rev. A. K. Gaard and the Rev. T. Hanson officiating. Burial was in the Riverside cemetery.

Pallbearers were Nels Osher, Clarence Olson, Julius Hanson, Conrad Hanson, Martin Refsell and Lloyd Olson.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, May 1, 1941.