Donald Crust

Donald Edward Crust, 85, of Brainerd, MN, passed peacefully in Abbott Northwestern Hospital while surrounded by family on Thursday, November 5th, 2015. Don was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, a veteran, and dedicated servant of the greater Brainerd and Upper South Long Lakes communities.

Don was born on December 20th, 1929 in Brainerd, MN to Edward and Rachel Crust and grew up with sisters Lois and Margaret "Peggy" Thompson, now deceased. He was a 1947 Brainerd High School graduate and a 1956 graduate of the University of Minnesota. He married Carol Palmer Crust of New Ulm, MN in 1953. Don was a proud veteran of the US Navy. He was employed by Northrup King and Co. in Minneapolis, AR Wood Manufacturing Company in Luverne, MN, owned Crust Farms in Brainerd from 1973 until 1983 and Crust Insurance Agency in Brainerd, MN from 1985 until his retirement in 1999.

Don placed great value on hard work and service toward greater causes. He was an active member of the community of Brainerd, served on boards for the First Congregational United Church of Christ and served on the Evergreen Cemetery Board for 11 years. He was a charter member and served for 12 years on the Mississippi Headwaters Board, and was a charter member of the Upper South Long Lake Improvement Association and served on the board until his passing. He was also a member of Bee Nay She Bird Club.

Don became a Mason in 1952, served in Ben Franklin Lodge in Luverne, MN and was active in Aurora Masonic Lodge No. 100 until his death. Don was also an active member of the Aadzuhman Shrine Club of Brainerd, was a 37-year member of the Aad Shrine Club of Duluth, MN, and was a long-time member of the Aad Shrine Oriental Band, as his father Edward was before him. For many years, Don transported sick children and their families from the Brainerd area to the Shriners Hospital for Children in the Twin Cities.

Most who knew Don Crust would remember him for his sense of humor. He loved to tease his friends and family members and loved to share a joke or a funny story. He grew up in a musical family and was a trumpet player in the Brainerd HS. He was an amateur musician all of his life and enjoyed following the musical pursuits of his extended family.

Don Crust is survived by wife Carol Crust, daughter Deanne Crust, daughter Cindi Sobering and husband Mike Sobering, son David Crust and wife Bonnie Crust, grandchildren James Crust and wife Kristie, Cory Crust and wife Nicole, Chris Crust and wife Beth, Emma Crust and husband Dan, Gabriel Herron and fiancee Beth, Katie Sobering and wife Melissa McWilliams, Anna Sobering and husband Nick, as well as seven great grandchildren.

Visitation is from 5-7 pm at Brenny Funeral Chapel, 7348 Excelsior Road, Baxter, MN, preceded by a Masonic Memorial Service at 4:30 pm at Brenny. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, 11/14 at 2 pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 415 Juniper Street, Brainerd, MN 56401. Interment with Military Honors provided by Brainerd American Legion and VFW will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The Reception will be at the Masonic Center, 205 1/2 S 6th Street, Brainerd.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Upper South Long Lake Improvement Association, Box 201, Brainerd, MN 56401 or to the Shriners Childrens Hospital of the Twin Cities, http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate.