Obituary of Adele Phyllis Rustad

Adele Phyllis Rustad, 98, passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2024, surrounded by love. A beloved resident of Rivers of Life Assisted Living, Adele lived a remarkable life and will be remembered as a woman of great faith, a talented artist, a lover of music, and, above all, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy of kindness, strength, and grace lives on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Born on September 17, 1926, at home in Hendrum, Minnesota, Adele was the cherished daughter of Alfred and Ella Rinnan. From a young age, Adele exhibited a love of learning and artistry, passions that would define much of her life and a source of inspiration to all who knew her.

Adele shared her gifts as a teacher, guiding and shaping young minds from Hendrum and Halstad, Minnesota, to Springfield, Illinois. She was a woman of grace and intellect, described by all as the very definition of a lady. Adele balanced her fierce independence with an unwavering love for her family, whom she held above all else. She was married to the love of her life, James Howard, for 53 wonderful years, and together they built a family and life full of laughter, music, and enduring love.

A deeply faithful woman, Adele was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota, and later American Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. For the past decade, she found her spiritual home at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Her faith was central to her life, guiding her in all things.

Adele’s artistic spirit shone brightly through her passion for painting and drawing. She was also widely admired for her beautiful singing voice and love of music, which brought joy to many. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family, especially her four grandchildren and one great-grandson, who brought her immense pride and happiness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Ella Rinnan, her husband, James Howard, her sisters, Ethel Viker (Loren) and Muriel Rinnan and other dear family members and friends. She is survived by her children, Mark Rustad (Sonya) and Mary Rustad Herrera (Randy); her grandchildren; Karen Tölva, JT Rustad, Kate Herrera and Kris Herrera, her great-grandson, Addi Tölva; her sister, Wanda Nightengale; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN 55426.