Cleone Brustuen

Cleone was born October 23, 1921 at Perham , Minnesota to Fred and LC May (Whaley) Rau. She was baptized at home on November 11, 1921 by Pastor Agathor, and was confirmed at St. Paul ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hancock on April 14, 1935 by Pastor E.A. Hempeck.

She was married to Nils Karl Brustuen at Immanuel Shible Lutheran Church in rural Appleton on June 14, 1942. She is survived by her children: Barbara (Robert) Beck, St. Louis, MO, Eldon (Sharon) Brustuen, Roseville, MN, Kathryn (John) Berres, Alberta, Melody (Rodger) Veenendaal, Morris, Kevin Brustuen, Bozeman, MT, Emilie Brustuen, Alberta, Keith (Sheila) Brustuen, Waverly, IA; twenty-four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also by her siblings: Naomi Miller, Morris, Merlin Rau and Betty Blaskowski, Kensington, Donald (Alois) Rau, Kensington, Ruth (Warren) Hickey, Minneapolis, and numerous nieces and nephews. Also survived by Uncle Erwin Rau, Willmar , and Aunts Geneva Webster, Spring Lake Park , MN , Verree Fox, Morris.

She was preceded in death by husband Nils Brustuen, parents Fred and LC May (Whaley) Rau, sister Geraldine Maanum, infant sister Elsie Carol Rau, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law

Cleone grew up on a farm on the shores of Bodinghammer Lake near Perham , Minnesota . During the Great Depression, her family moved to several different farms in Western Minnesota . Cleone spent two years living with her aunt and uncle in California , graduating from George Washington High School in Los Angeles . Returning to Minnesota to continue her education, she attended “ Depression College ” and graduated from Appleton High School for her second high school graduation in 1942, and met her future husband. Nils and Cleone began married life sharing a house with Nils’s parents on the Brustuen family homestead before moving into their first home, Ole Brustuen’s original claim shanty. Nils and Cleone moved in 1947 to their farm in rural Alberta , where she resided until her death.

Cleone’s post-high school education included one term at West Central School of Agriculture, two years at the University of Minnesota , Morris, and numerous correspondence courses and seminars from the University of Minnesota , Twin Cities campus. Her education was rounded out with a lifetime of informal education through her extensive reading and study.

She utilized her gifts at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church by directing the junior choir, teaching Sunday School , serving on the Church Council, and functioning as church organist. She later became a member of Trinity Lutheran in Appleton , where she continued to participate in the life of the congregation.

Music has always been an important part of Cleone’s life. With friends, Cleone formed a vocal quartet that performed at many public events around the Appleton area. She was a founding member of the Music Club of Appleton where she served as president. She was a participating member of Minnewaska Showstoppers in the musicals South Pacific and Oklahoma , and sang with the UMM choir in performances of Elijah and Messiah .

Cleone traveled throughout the world, often traveling with, or traveling to see, her children and grandchildren. She enriched her life with concerts, theatre and other performances by professionals, but most thoroughly enjoyed the performances and events of her grandchildren, whether it was sporting events, theatre, concerts, or other accomplishments.

Cleone died after a short illness on Sunday, March 28, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Melody and Rodger Veenendaal, in Morris. As Cleone anticipated her death, she requested that the following quote be included in her obituary: “Surely goodness and mercy [have] followed me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to: Lakeland Hospice and Home Care, Autism Speaks, Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Waverly, Iowa.