Donald E. Rustad

Donald's Live Streamed Funeral Service can be viewed below: Donald E Rustad, 86, Kindred, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday May 29 2021 at his home near Kindred. Donald Rustad was born December 12, 1934 in Kindred to Ivan and Merle (DeVan) Rustad. He attended Kindred High School graduating in 1952. He attended North Dakota State School of Science (now NDSCS) in Wahpeton and graduated with a degree in Architectural Drafting in 1954. He married Janice Ylvisaker at Owego Lutheran Church (rural Sheldon) on June 24 1956. Don and Jan resided at their ranch south of Kindred where they raised four children, Ronda, Rock, Rick, and Rochelle. Being the oldest of two children, Don began working alongside his dad at an early age at their business – Rustad’s – on main street in Kindred. During High School he was the manager of the boy’s basketball team and loved getting into a little mischief with his friends. Eventually, Don and his brother Speed partnered with their dad and set their sights on diversifying the business as much as possible. This included the International Harvester dealership, Chrysler car sales, heavy equipment construction, as well as the farming/ranching/ and livestock hauling that Don oversaw each day. Over the years the business boasted of doing “everything from the cradle to the grave – and we dig graves too”. In later years the business purchased a gravel pit near Milnor and began selling gravel and dirt products, which continues today. Don was an active member in the community, the Kindred Fire Department, as well as a big supporter of 4-H and FFA. He was a charter member of the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church in Kindred, now Calvary United Methodist Church where he was still an active member. In 1970, Don decided that snowmobile racing sounded exciting, and so during 1970-1972 this became the weekend family sport. He and Jan competed in many races across ND and MN, but Don’s most exciting race was a multi-day cross country race in SD from Pierre to Aberdeen, which he successfully finished on his Viking snowmobile. He was a founding member of the Sheyenne Red River Rodeo Club in 1973. He loved everything about the western way of life and the charm and romance of the rodeo arena. He looked forward to weekends traveling from one end of the state to the other in the dead of night, to take his kids to High School rodeos, and then having them qualify and participate in nine different National High School Rodeo Finals. He especially loved assisting Earl Northrop in the Cutting Arena at those National events. He served on the ND High School Rodeo Association board of directors for eight years. Don continued his love for ND High School and Jr High Rodeo by attending local, state, and national competitions to cheer on his grandchildren as they became old enough to compete. In 2004 he became actively involved in representing eastern North Dakota as one of the original trustees for the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame located in Medora North Dakota. The Cowboy Hall of Fame was truly one of Don’s biggest passions over the years which he supported with donations and memorials. In 2007 Don and Jan decided that winters in Arizona sounded appealing and found the perfect place to rent for the season. Days in the warm Arizona sun with old and new friends was something they looked forward to every year. Don especially enjoyed going to a nearby airport to help his dear friend Bob Odegaard with anything he could, even if it meant they had to take a spin in Bob’s restored P51 Mustang fighter plane. Other activities included golfing, watching Cow Cutting and Team Roping events, bingo night, and playing cards with their great friends and next door neighbors from Canada. Don loved visiting with people and telling stories. He loved to quote John Wayne “Let’s go – We’re burnin daylight” or let his kid and grandkids know that bumps and bruises were “a long way from your heart”. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Merle, and his brother Speed. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, children Ronda Alvarez, Rock (Georgeann), Rick, and Rochelle all of Kindred. Grandchildren Alaetra Alvarez (Aaron Davis) of Ray ND, Austin Alvarez and Arianna Alvarez of West Fargo, Zoe Alvarez Praus (Dillon) of Dickinson, Sara Rustad Hopfauf (Tyler) of Mandan, and Rina Rustad of Kindred. Great grandchildren Bo Priewe and Dusty Hopfauf of Mandan and Baby Praus due in October as well as many nieces and nephews. Welcome to Heaven Cowboy – your entry fees are paid! Visitation will be held Friday June 4, from 4-7 PM at Kindred Lutheran Church, with a prayer service at 7 PM. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 5 at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at the Kindred Cemetery.