Jerril Rustan

Jerril H. Rustan, 66, of Dickinson passed away Wednesday morning, Jan 23, 2008, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Our Redeemer?s Lutheran Church, New England with Pastor Bruce Peterson officiating. Interment will be in the Rainy Butte Lutheran Cemetery, rural New England. Visitation will be held at Stevenson Funeral Home on Friday, January 25, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Jerril Henry Rustan was born in New England, ND on July 15th, 1941 to Walter and Marion (Pagel) Rustan. He graduated high school in Laurel, MT then returned to Dickinson where he earned a BS degree in Chemistry from DSC. He went on to earn a Masters degree in Chemistry from Oregon State University, then completed graduate research at NDSU. Jerril married Gloria Kay Johnson on June 10th, 1959. To this union, Dave, Doug and Mark were born. He later married Melissa (Hoffer) Hafele on February 3rd, 1992 and to this union, Dusty was born. Jerry was a man that wore many hats, which included being an accomplished entrepreneur. In his younger years, he taught school in Regent, Scranton, BSC, and then DSU in addition to farming the family land. He owned and operated Belfield Grain Elevator with his sons from 1985 to 1996. He and his wife Melissa started a small beekeeping operation in 1988 and opened a Hometown Sears dealer store in 1995. He continued to farm his land until his health would not permit. Jerry was very active in the Democratic NPL. He was also a member of the Elks Club, Lions Club, Dickinson Chamber of Commerce and Home Builders Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and motorcycling. He also enjoyed computers, watching a good football or basketball game, ping-pong, pinochle, and mostly reminiscing with family and friends. Jerril is survived by his wife, Melissa, Dickinson; his sons, Douglas, Mark (Gabrielle), and Dustin, Dickinson; his stepson, Tony (Alison) Hafele, Dickinson; one sister, Dorothy (Robert) Alegeria, Park City, MT; eleven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Knight and Walter Rustan; his brother, Roger; and his son, David.


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Burial Date: January 26, 2008
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Saturday, Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England, ND