Richard Norris Rustad

Richard Norris Rustad, 85, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, MN.

Richard was born on November 11, 1939, to Norris and Dorothy (Whitrow) Rustad, in Hawley, MN, on the family farm. He grew up in Hawley where he attended and graduated from Hawley High School. After high school, he made his way to Montana where he worked bailing hay. After returning to the area, he worked at various companies including Ames Sand and Gravel, working with an ice gang cutting and loading ice blocks, and eventually working for BNSF Railroad as a part of a maintenance crew for numerous years. His career with BNSF was cut short due to a disability acquired during his work. He was united in marriage to Cheryl Nowak on August 10, 1979, in Fargo, ND. After many moves to various towns in the area, he eventually returned to Hawley, MN, where he has lived ever since.

Richard loved to play sports in high school, lettering in every sport the school had to offer, basketball being his favorite. He loved to be in nature, enjoying vegetable gardening, driving out to and reflecting by the lake, he also set trap lines so he could sell mink and muskrat pelts. He enjoyed talking about old cars and had an assortment of collectables; to mention a few, he collected old magazines, coins, and various antiques. Richard was a strong-willed man and had many stories of his past adventures.

Richard is survived by his children, Randy (Joyce) Rustad, Brian (Andrea) Nowak, and Rodney Rustad; 7 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; his younger brother, Terry Rustad; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Cheryl; infant son, Roland; and his parents, Norris and Dorothy.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 24, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available on Richard’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Final resting place will be at Dale Cemetery, rural Hawley, MN, at a later date.