John Rust, 78, of rural Dallas, passed away suddenly early Wednesday, February. 11, 2026.

John was born July 31, to Albin and Dorothy (Severson) Rust in Rice Lake. After graduating from Barron High School in 1965, he attended college at Madison and then Eau Claire before returning to the family farm near Hillsdale. In 1975, he married Kathy Anderson at Bethany Lutheran near Almena and raised 5 children with her, well short of the dozen he had hoped for. After working the family farm for 20 years, he was later employed at Schutz Holm Farm near Dallas before retiring from farming to provide transportation for nursing home residents and drive for Meals on Wheels.

John loved reading and was rarely without a book nearby. He spent many hours at the Barron and Rice Lake public libraries. He enjoyed driving around the countryside and traveling to new places. He instilled in his children an ethic to work hard and always be open to learning.

He left behind unread books and a gap in the hearts of his wife, Kathy Rust, sons and daughter, and many other friends and family.  He will be fondly remembered for his loud laugh and a book in his hands. His parting words would most certainly be “be happy.”

Surviving are his wife, Kathy (Anderson) Rust of Dallas; son, Robert (Liz) Rust of Hammond; daughter, Caitlin (Ryan) Johnson of Barron; son, David Rust of Dallas and James (Brita) Rust of River Falls; sister, Joni (James) Marcotte of River Falls; 4 grandsons and a granddaughter.

John was preceded in death by his daughter, Gwen Anderson, and sister, Julie Nevin-Miller.

Visitation will be held 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron. A private interment will be held later in the spring.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local library or office on aging.

Last Update: Feb 13, 2026 8:05 am CST