Wilbert “Rusty” Rost was born March 8, 1943 in Kulm, ND to Karl and Helen (Radke) Rost. He passed away from gastric cancer at home on July 15th surrounded by family and his Sanford Hospice nurse, Marissa. He graduated from Kulm High School in 1962. He was proud to have served in the Army National Guard from 1962 to 1968. He attended Valley City State College, but ultimately graduated from Dakota Business College in 1967. From there he worked as an Office Manager for Sherman Plumbing for over 39 years.  Rusty couldn’t sit still for too long, so after “retiring“ he worked for Lunde Auto Center as a delivery driver, at Adesa Auto Auction as a driver, and as an accountant for Naseth Construction. 

After a chance encounter in the laundry room of the apartment building they both lived in, Rusty met the love of his life, when he asked her to iron his shirt, which she did and continued to do for more than 53 years. Rusty married Doris Kasprowicz July 1, 1967 at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo. In 1971 they moved to West Fargo where they raised their two children, Kevin and Amy. They became members of Faith Lutheran Church where he was an usher, communion deacon, and member of The King’s Men. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 308 West Fargo.

Rusty and Doris had a place at Long Lake by Detroit Lakes for many years where lots of memories were made with family and friends, including spending time on the lake, water-skiing, campfires, playing cards and just enjoying the time outdoors. He was fortunate to get to travel to many places with Doris and they spent winters in Lake Havasu, AZ for five years. Family and friends were very important to Rusty, he especially loved spending time with his granddaughters and never missed an opportunity to take them to Sandy’s Donuts. He often sat quietly listening to conversations but would regularly chime-in with a clever or witty comment that would make everyone laugh. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and games, Tuesday lunches with the guys, morning coffee with the guys at Sandy’s Donuts solving the world’s problems, and his Lionel train collection. He always had fun watching the West Fargo Packers, NDSU Bison, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Rusty was always there to provide a helping hand to anyone that needed it. If you had a project and he got involved, it was going to get done right, quickly, or cheaply, but you could only pick two.  More often than not it was done slowly and correctly.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Doris; children, Kevin (Dawn) Rost, of Sioux Falls, SD and Amy (fiancé Kory) Kopp, of Fort Worth, TX; granddaughters, Maddie (fiancé Shane) Rost, of Hudson, IA, Alexis Rost, Abby Kopp; siblings, Ruth Degenstein, Norman (Norma) Rost, Ernest (Karen) Rost; in-laws, Alvina (Delbert) Vonasek, Bobby (Marjorie) Kasprowicz, Evy (Jim) Aylesworth; and many very special nieces and nephews.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, Karl & Helen (Radke) Rost; siblings, Ann, Clifford (Agnes), Bill (Barb), Marvin (Kathy), Teddy, half-brother Albert; in-laws Lester Degenstein, Al Kasprowicz, Eddie Kasprowicz; several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Sanford Hospice.

Visitation:   6 - 7 pm Friday, July 17th, with a Prayer Service at 7 pm, in Faith † Journey Lutheran Church, West Fargo.

Memorial Service:   11 am Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Faith † Journey Lutheran Church

Military Honors:   Provided by ND National Guard Funeral Honors Team and V.F.W Post #7564, West Fargo.

Placement:   Faith † Journey Lutheran Columbarium

Due to COVID 19, social distancing and the use of masks is suggested for all attending Rusty's visitation and service.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome, com