Caledonia Argus

Posted: 11/19/03

Borghild C. Rusert

Borghild C. Rusert, 89, of Caledonia, died Monday, November 17, 2003, at the Caledonia Lutheran Home. She was born April 7, 1914 in Spring Grove to Otto and Henrietta (Quinnell) Evenson. Borghild attended Teacherís Training School in Winona and then taught one year of country school.

On March 27, 1938, she married Walter ìShortyî Rusert in Spring Grove. In 1950 Shorty and Borghild purchased the Red Owl Grocery Store in Caledonia and operated it as Rusertís Red Owl. In the late 1950ís they moved the location of the store to 223 S. Kingston Street in Caledonia where it became known as Shortyís IGA. After Shortyís death in May of 1965, Borghild continued to operate the store at the new location of 113 N. Kingston Street in Caledonia until her retirement.

She was a member of St. Johnís Ev. Lutheran Church in Caledonia where she served on the ladies aid and sang in the choir. Borghild loved spending time with her many friends playing golf and playing bridge.

Survivors include one daughter, Carol (Tony) Schiltz of Caledonia; three sons, John (Helen) of Stewartville, Douglas (Laurel) of Caledonia; and Rev. Robert (Lori) of Big Lake, MN; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Thelma Blakkestad of Richfield.

In addition to her husband, Borghild was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Bonnie King, and two sisters and four brothers.

Services will be Thursday, November 20 at 11 am from St. Johnís Ev. Lutheran Church, Caledonia. Rev. Tom Schultz will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, on Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 8 pm and at the church on Thursday from 10 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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