Olaf 'Ole' Rustad

Olaf Ole' Rustad, age 82 of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Skaalen Home in Stoughton.   Olaf was born in Cottage Grove on February 18, 1927, a son of Martin and Johanna (Gyland) Rustad.   He enlisted in the Navy on February 7, 1945 at the age of 17, and completed his boat training at Great Lakes, Illinois.   He was transferred to Shoemaker, California, served for a time aboard the USS New York, and was transferred to Guam, where he was stationed for 12 months.   He received his discharge from the Navy on July 19, 1946 at Great Lakes.   Over the years, he worked various jobs.   He worked aboard the ship ""L.C. Smith"" for the Wilson Marine Transit Company, hauling iron ore in the Great Lakes region.   His most memorable jobs were at Nora Store, working for Roger and Mary Lou Olson, N & I-90 Truck Stop at the service station for about 25 years, until it closed, and then back to Nora Tavern, working until the past few years when his health started to decline.   Olaf was a lifetime member of West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, a longtime member of the American Legion Post # 0260, and a longtime member of VFW Post # 328.   He will be greatly missed by a brother, Marvin Rustad of Deerfield; a sister, Karen Peterson of Endeavor; brother-in-law, Stanley M. Dahl of Stoughton; and special nieces and caregivers, God-daughter, Marlene Olson, Barb Morshauser and Marcia Wood.   He is further survived by several nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.   He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Peder Rustad; sister, Thelma Dahl; sister-in-law, Lois Rustad; and brother in law, Sheldon Peterson.   Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 11:00 am at West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, 1911 Koshkonong Rd., Pleasant Springs.   Burial and military rites will follow at West Koshkonong Lutheran Cemetery.   The family will greet friends at the Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and again at church on Thursday from 10:00 am until the time of service.   Special thanks to Marlene for all of her extra care; special neighbor, Wendy Olson; and to the staff of Skaalen and Hospice Care, Inc. for their compassion and care over the past several months.