Dorothy (Nelson) Rustad

Dorothy Y. Rustad, 84, 0f Willmar died Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar due to Covid-19.  A private graveside service will be held at West Norway Lake Lutheran Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life for Dorothy and Russ will be 1:00 pm, Sunday, August 22nd at Games Lake County Park Shelter House.  Services are entrusted to Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Dorothy Yvonne Rustad was born April 17, 1936, in Rosholt, SD, the daughter of Gottfred and Clara (Backman) Nelson.  At a young age, her family moved to Willmar where Dorothy grew up and received her education.  On March 6, 1953, Dorothy was united in marriage to Boutwell (Russ) Rustad Jr. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. This union was blessed with five children.  Dorothy and Russ raised their family in Willmar, where Dorothy was employed at Willmar Nursing Home and JoAnn Fabrics.  Dorothy and Russ had shared 67 years of marriage when Russ passed away on October 30, 2020.

She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, Desert Storm ROCK Group, and the Willmar Senior Citizen Center. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, collecting dolls, TV game shows, listening to music, volunteering her time, making lefse and spending time with her family.

Dorothy died Sunday, December 6, 2020, at the age of 84. She is survived by her children: Mike of Pipestone, Steve of Spicer,  Julie, Jodi (and Larry) VandeSteeg, and Dana, all of Willmar; 14 grandchildren: Stephanie (Jeffrey), Tony (Brittany), Tim, Lauren (Cory), Alison (Andy), Kelsie, Andrew, Shawn, Crystal (Ryan), Kayla, Jessica (Shawn), Jackie, Davis, and Zoe; and 22 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings:  Pat Baker, Barbara Knight, Karen (Tom) Beadle, and Judy (Dan) Berglund. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Don and Willis.

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