Lyle D. Rusert

Rev. Dr. Lyle Donald Rusert was born on February 25, 1927 near Lewiston, Minnesota, Winona County to William and Laura (nee: Grebinow) Rusert. He was reborn by God's Grace in Jesus Christ in the waters of Holy Baptism on February 27, 1927 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, rural Lewiston, as Rev. H.H. Haufner baptized him. He attended Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School. He confessed his baptismal faith on March 17, 1940 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church as Pastor Haufner confirmed him. His confirmation verse was Roman 1:16. In 1945 he graduated from Lewiston High School. He enlisted in the United States Army Fair Force and served in the United States, Hawaii and the Philippine Islands. Rev. Lyle Rusert attended Concordia College and Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. In 1951-1952, he vicared at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Edmonton, Albert, Canada. During vicarage he met Josephine Julia Jabs who was attending Concordia College, Edmonton. On August 17, 1952 they were married at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Lewiston, Minnesota, by Rev. Emil Geistfeld. The Lord blessed their marriage with five children. After graduation on June 5, 1953 Dr. Rusert was ordained into the Holy Ministry on June 28, 1953 at Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Rapids, Iowa. The congregations he served during his ministry are: Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Rapids, Iowa and Concordia Lutheran Church, Webb, Iowa, 1953-1957; Redeemer Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minnesota, 1957-1958; St. John Lutheran Church, Atwater, Minnesota, 1958-1960; Zion Lutheran Church, Crown, Minnesota, 1960-1966; Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton, Minnesota and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible Township, Appleton, 1966-1972; Prince of Peace Lutheran Church-Peace River, Alberta, Canada, 1973-1974; Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota, 1974-1983; First Lutheran Church, Waldorf, Minnesota and St. John Lutheran Church, Danville Township, 1983-1996; Vacancy Pastor, 1996-1999; Pastoral Assistant at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Truman since August 3, 1999. During his ministry he was an Exchange Missionary in Kowloon, Hong King in 1970. The degrees he has earned are: Bachelor of Theology, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Theology. Pastor Rusert has served as Circuit Counselor, Zone Advisor for the L.L.L., L.W.M.L., Youth, Education Services Committee, and Minnesota North District Board of Directors. He received the Servus Ecclesiae Christi award from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Way, Indiana on May 17, 1985. He was commissioned Chaplin 1st Lieutenant on January 20, 164 in Civil Air Patrol an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Pastor Rusert received Meritorious Service Medal on June 9, 1964 and the St. Martin of Tours Medal on October 13, 1999. He retired with rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Rev. Rusert has visited Israel three time and Germany five times. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, flying, and spending time in "The Valley? by Lewiston, Minnesota. Left to look forward to the reunion of heaven are his wife, Josephine; Rev. Matthew and Terry Rusert of South Branch and children, Julia and Robyn; Laura and Kyle Davison of Fargo, North Dakota and children, Lucas, Anna and Alex; Angela and Tom Lyng of Pella, Iowa and children, Christopher, Benjamin and Emily; Rev. Nathan and Lori Rusert of Truman and children, Kristin, Joshua, Timothy, Jonathan, and Rebekah; Jennifer and John Hans of Eagan, Minnesota and child Ben. Four brothers: Oswald Rusert of Dalton, Ohio; Lorenz and Margaret Rusert of Winona, Minnesota;