Elsie Rustad

September 29, 1918 - December 29, 2014Elsie Rustad passed away peacefully in the Carrot River Health Centre on December 29, 2014. She was 96 years old. Elsie Petersen was born on September 29, 1918, in her parents' farmhouse (Chris and Ellen Petersen), aided by a neighbour lady. When she and her twin sister Ebba arrived, they weighed less than 6 lbs. between the two of them. In the beginning, they had to be fed with an eye dropper. Their incubator was the door of the warming closet of their mom's wood cookstove. They were wrapped in a blanket and placed in a shoebox. Elsie and Ebba were the third and fourth members of the Petersen family, which eventually totalled ten. Their first year of life was a struggle for their parents, but Ellen was a brave, pioneering woman and was determined that they would live and live they did. The last birthday they celebrated together was their 96th. Elsie attended school at Pipestone School, a country school a few miles away from the farm. In later years, she went to work for various farm wives in the community. Threshing time, and the crew that was involved with it, made it the busiest time of the year. Eventually she got a job cooking at the Rose Valley Hospital and the Rose Valley Nursing Home. While living in Rose Valley, she met and married Helmer Rustad. To this marriage Donald, Janet and Maureen were born. The family settled on their farm just south of Rose Valley then moved into Rose Valley a few years later when Helmer and his brother Obert bought and ran a hardware store. Elsie worked there too. In those days a work week was six days and on Saturday they were open until nine or ten o'clock at night. When Helmer passed away, Elsie continued working at the store until she was 70 years old. At that time they decided to have an auction sale and also sell the building. Elsie enjoyed travelling, going to places like Hawaii, out to B.C. and to the northern states to visit relatives. Later, Elsie flew to Europe with three of her sisters. They visited relatives in Denmark and went on to see the crumbling remains of the wall that divided East and West Germany. This happened just shortly after the wall was pulled down. She also made many bus trips with various friends and one to Norsk HA�stfest in Minot with her daughter Janet. Elsie was actively involved with her family, community and her church. Family was very important to her. She loved the family get-togethers and was so sad when everyone packed up to return home. In her younger years, she curled, was on the museum board, taught Sunday school, was a member of the Lutheran Ladies' Aide, sang in the choir and was a very active member of the church. She had a strong faith and told a nurse a few days before her death that she was ready to go to Heaven. Elsie will be greatly missed by her family. Her work on earth is done and she is now in a better place. Rest in peace, Mom and Grandma. Until we meet again.