Dean Rust was born to Clarence and Marie Rust and raised on the original Rust Farm, homesteaded in 1878. He was the third generation of the Rust family—following his grandfather Cornelius and father—to work and care for the family farm near Harwood and Prosper, North Dakota.
Dean attended Prosper Grade School before graduating from Oak Grove High School in Fargo. In the fall of 1959, he entered North Dakota State University with his classmates. Shortly after, he pursued and completed a short course at Minneapolis Airlines School in 1960, which led him to work for American Airlines at O’Hare Field in Chicago. In February 1961, Dean returned home when his father passed away suddenly. That moment marked the beginning of his 48-year career as a dedicated farmer.
On June 23, 1962, Dean married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Jacobson.
Together they raised four children:
• Brian and his wife Kathy
• Diane Rust, with her three children, Andrina Brogden, Devin Brogden, and Brandon Rust
• Darren and his wife Gerri, with their three children, Skyler, Jordan (Ethan Frisch), & Jaden.
• Allan and his wife Michelle, with their four children, Malcolm, Mali, Alida, and Jasmine
Dean balanced his love of farming with a passion for woodworking. During the winter months, he worked as a finish carpenter for many years alongside his cousin Duane at Rust Cabinet Shop. His craftsmanship with wood was both a lifelong interest and a gift he shared with many.
Deeply invested in his community, Dean served on numerous cooperative boards, including Mapleton Oil, Prosper Elevator, Kindred CHS, Fargo AgCountry, and Cass County Electric of Kindred. He was also an active member of Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, where he joyfully sang bass in the choir, served on the church board, and cared for the cemetery as sexton for many years.
Though his interests and capabilities were numerous, his love of music outshined them all. From Oak Grove and Maple Sheyenne choirs to his barber shop group and the Rust Family singers —singing was a true passion. This love was passed to his children and grandchildren, whose many bands, performances, and of course The Blenders echoed his joy in music.
In 2015, Dean and Gwen purchased a home in Mesa, Arizona, where they enjoyed spending several winters. By 2019, Dean retired from farming, settling with Gwen in West Fargo. Their home—equipped with his “old folks” stair chair—became a new chapter in a life marked by family, hard work, faith, and humor.
Dean was proceeded in death by his siblings, Beverly Narum, Clarence Rust, Gary Rust, Ronnie Rust, Curtis Rust, and Arden Rust. Dean is survived by his sisters, Joanne Johnson and Bonnie Rust, his loving wife of 63 years, Gwen, and their children: Brian, Diane, Darren, and Allan.
He is also remembered with love by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who carry forward his legacy of devotion to family, community, and faith.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 at 2 PM at Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, near Harwood, ND with gathering time one hour prior.
Interment: Maple Sheyenne Cemetery.
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