Bernard S. Rust

Bernard S. Rust

Bernard Seymour Rust passed away at age 93 years on December 6, 2014, with daughters Betty and Sheila at his bedside. Bernard was born on April 10, 1921, in rural Ferryville, WI, to Arthur and Ona (Seymour) Rust. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1939. Bernard enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 9, 1942. He served 26 months in Africa, Germany, France, and Italy as a first lieutenant combat infantry leader during WWII, receiving a Purple Heart with cluster, and other commendations. Bernard rarely spoke of his war-time service until taking a Freedom Honor Flight in 2010. With the encouragement and help of good friend Dr. John Cleveland, Bernard was able to share some of his experiences in a recording for the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

Bernard and his lifelong sweetheart, Irene Knutson, grew up on neighboring farms. They married on February 9, 1946, and moved to La Crosse in 1947. Bernard worked as a carpenter until opening a general contracting business. He and Irene operated Bernard Rust Construction from 1960 to 1985.

After retiring, Bernard became a licensed realtor. His life-long enjoyment of driving led to a part-time job at Avis Rent-a-Car, with regular opportunities to hit the open road. When Irene developed Parkinson’s disease, Bernard cared for her at home until her death in 2011. He has been a faithful and active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse since 1947.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond and Loren, and wife Irene. He is survived by daughters Betty (James) Ehrsam of La Crosse, and Sheila Grossman of Eugene, Oregon; four grandchildren, Michael (Diana Eignor) Powell of Sykesville, Maryland, David (Gena Long) Powell of De Forest, WI, Jennifer Hayes of Seattle, Washington, and Robert (Cindy Liao) Schmid II, of Seattle, WA; and two great-grandchildren, Maddisen Long-Pero and Eastyn Long-Powell, both of De Forest, WI.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 420 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Pastor Tom Meyer will officiate. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse and again at the church on Thursday from 10 AM until the time of service.

Bernard’s family wishes to thank Marcia Kendall, DNP and the Gundersen Hospice Team, the staff at The Willow and Bethany Riverside for their skilled and compassionate care. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Gundersen Medical Foundation, Bethany Lutheran Homes or a charity of your choice.