Obituary
Alan “Al” Leigh Rustad
Alan “Al” Leigh Rustad, 68, passed away peacefully at his home on August 16, 2024, following his second battle with cancer, having been in remission for three years after winning his first battle against leukemia.
Al was born on February 15, 1956, at Gillette Hospital in Mondovi, WI to Palmer and Lucy (Braatz) Rustad. He graduated from Mondovi HS in 1974 and District One Technical Institute of Eau Claire, WI in 1976. He worked at the former Boelter Industries in Winona, MN for 42 years, retiring in 2018.
On June 23, 1979, he married Kristine Hall at Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi, and they made their home in Trempealeau, WI.
Al was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting deer in Wisconsin and Wyoming, moose in Alaska, caribou in Canada, bear in the Northwoods and elk in Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. He also enjoyed fishing the many lakes, rivers and streams of Wisconsin, mountain streams as well as charters for salmon. He was a member of the Rocky Mt Elk Foundation for many years. He had a great passion for chopping and splitting wood and found much enjoyment just being in the quietness of the forests and feeding the birds, especially at their cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Al is survived by his wife Kris, a sister Sue (Jerry) Birtzer of Mondovi, WI, brothers Darrell (Nina) of Nekoosa, WI and James (Sophia) of Fairbanks, AK, in addition to brothers-in-law Ron (Marti) Hall of Winnipeg, Canada, Mark (Jody) Hall of Kellogg, MN and Scott Hall of Redmond, OR, sisters-in-law Audrey (Jeff) Johnson of Mondovi, WI, Diane (Bill Radke) McNallan of Plainview, MN and Marie (Kim) Kroening of St. Charles, MN. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and one aunt, Beverly (Carlos) Ward of Jacksonville, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John “Rooster”, two infant siblings and a nephew Kyle Rustad.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11am at Tamarack Lutheran Church, W24241 Norway Valley Rd, Arcadia, WI, 54612.
Thank-you St. Croix Hospice for all your loving care and support.
My thoughts & prayers are with all his family. May God give you all strength during this difficult time. May Al rest in peace.
My sincere sympathy in your loss…it is so hard to lose a loved one…we never forget them….they are forever in our hearts….may God and His Angels welcome him into
Heaven…. a place where there is no pain or suffering. May God help you during this sad time.
Kris, We cannot imagine losing your life partner and companion in crime. You have our deepest sympathies and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Tom an Roxy
Our prayers are with you take care
Al was my classmate from Mondovi class of 1974. We just had our 50 year reunion in July and we missed being able to see him there.
My deepest sympathy to all the family.
Al and I were classmates; we also attended Sunday School together and were confirmed and married at the same church – Zion Lutheran of Mondovi. I remember him as a good sport who got along well with everyone.
Sincere sympathy to his family.
Heidi Weber
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends. Our deepest condolences to all his family. As a former employer, Al was an excellent employee and who got along with everyone.
Dennis Boelter
Al was always a happy guy and enjoyed Russell and all the guys. I am so sorry for your loss, way too young, my deepest sympathy to you,