Robert Bruce "Bob" Rust, 72, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at St. Joseph Church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Bob, son of Paul and Lucille (Coenen) Rust, was born on December 9, 1951, in Harlan, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church, attended St. Michael's Catholic School, and graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1970. On October 14, 1972, Bob married Jeanne Sondag at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters and one son and two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Bob devoted his life to being a husband, father, grandfather, and business owner. He owned and operated Rust's Western Shed in Le Mars for 44 years, providing shoe repair, western apparel, and boot wear to the community until his retirement on July 31, 2017. Bob learned shoe repair from his father, Paul, who taught the trade to his son and instilled the values of service, dedication, and commitment to others. Throughout his decades of work, Bob served generations of customers, extending the lives of their shoes, coats, pants, purses, belts, tarps and more. As the sign in his store proudly proclaimed, he would "heel you, save your sole, and even dye for you." One of Bob's proudest accomplishments was being named the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Business of the Year, the first downtown business to receive the award.

Bob also served his community as President of the St. Joseph Holy Name Society, President of the Le Mars Jaycees, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and as a member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. He was a devout member of All Saints Parish – St. Joseph's Church and had served as a lector.

Despite these skills and accomplishments, Bob's greatest impact will be his enduring spirit of kindness and goodwill. "Rusty," as many knew him, believed in the virtue of humor, showing his love and respect for everyone he encountered, regardless of their age, ability, or status. His freestyle (and often irreverent) way of life brought joy to his many customers, friends, family members, and even strangers. Bob had a special compassion for those who others may have easily dismissed or disregarded, and he practiced the power of "The Golden Rule" by simply treating others as he would like to be treated.

After retiring, Bob celebrated life with his beloved wife, Jeanne. The two spent many cherished hours together, visiting their children and grandchildren, traveling with friends and relatives, and playing Scrabble and Euchre to fill their days. Bob also found peace on the water, as he did throughout his life, by fishing and boating with his family and friends. Bob was a loving, kind, funny, and thoughtful man who made the world a better and happier place for everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

Grateful for being in his life are his wife, Jeanne, of nearly 52 years; his daughter Amy Rust of Tampa, Florida, her husband, Scott Ferguson, and their two sons, Elias and Aubrey Ferguson; his daughter Anne Rust of Le Mars and her daughter and son-in-law, Alexis and Joseph Pavlik, of Syracuse, Nebraska; and his son, Paul Rust, of Los Angeles and his wife, Lesley Arfin, and their daughter, Mary James Rust. Bob is also survived by his three brothers, William (Karen) Rust, Roger (Pam) Rust, and Michael (Pam) Rust; his mother-in-law, Joan Sondag; brothers-in-law, James (Sandy) Sondag, Joseph (Cathie) Sondag, Jerry (Nyra) Sondag, Donald Sondag, and Bill (Lisa) Sondag; sisters-in-law, Linda (Tom) Brannan, and Kathy (Steve) Smit; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Lucille Rust; his father-in-law, Theodore Sondag; and his sister-in-law, Susan Sondag.

Because Bob felt so strongly about the importance of learning a skill and working with one's hands, the family requests that memorials be directed to Bob's family to fund a scholarship for area students who have that career goal.