Leola Rust

UPDATE: Due to upcoming snow storm, the family has decided to postpone the memorial service for Leola M. Rust until June 19, 2024. Please spread the word.

Leola M. Rust, 98, passed away on March 16, 2024, while in hospice at Bethany Lutheran Home of Sioux Falls, SD.
Born Jan. 22, 1926, in Garden City, SD, to Fred and Mamie (Holtslander) Mohr. She attended and graduated from Garden City High School in 1944. She received superior rating during State Vocal Solo Music Competition. Further competitions were curtailed during WW2, but her love for singing remained. She continued her education at Dakota State (then known as Eastern State Normal School) in Madison, SD, (focusing on Primary Elementary Education). After graduation, she taught in Madison and Brookings, SD.
In 1946, she met Donald L. Rust, married in 1949 and settled in Brookings. Donald and his father, Tony, started a plumbing company to service the rural community of the Brookings area. Over the years of operation, Leola would do office duties of Bookkeeping and as a secretary.
Leola enjoyed traveling with packaged tours. She visited Ireland, Wales, Mexico, elderhostels, in Minnesota, North Dakota/Canadian Peace Gardens and surrounding states. A Caribbean cruise and a trip to Hawaii with her husband, and the Danube River later in her years.
She had the sense of security in group organizations belonging in F.U.M.C. Choir, Rebekah Lodge, Oddfellows, Aeolian Music Club, 49’ers Extension Club, Circle and Swing Square Dancers, Eastern Star, Naomi, PEO, and the Brookings Activity Center, where at 80+ she bowled 300-point games. She will be long remembered for her many solo performances of “O’ Holy Night”, accompanied by organist Mildred K. Higgons, on Christmas Eve at F.U.M.C..
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, a son, Don, her only brother Fred Mohr.
Leola is survived by her son, Bradley of Aberdeen, SD, and granddaughter Amy Lyn Sinclair of Portland, Oregon.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.