1931 – 2016

RICE LAKE, Wis. — Mary Elaine Rust, 85, of Rice Lake, Wis., died Wednesday, March 9, at Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake, Wis.

She was born on Jan. 4, 1931, in North Waterford to Walter Lee and Christle (Curtis) Lord. Mary graduated from Bridgton Academy, Bridgton, in 1949. Mary enjoyed the local dances that were a large part of the New England social culture where she grew up in Western Maine. Her dad, Lee, taught Mary how to sing and play guitar, which she loved to do for her entire life. Seeking new adventures, Mary, with her young children and a new husband, Chuck Darna, moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in the late 1950s.

In 1964, she met and married Sam Rust and they relocated back to Sam’s home town of Rice Lake, Wis. Mary spent much of her time helping with the family floor covering and furniture business, Cameron House Furnishings, and eventually, The Main Gallery in downtown Rice Lake. Mary loved to share her flair for home-styling and decorating. In 1978, as part of Sam Rust and the Living Bond, Mary recorded three albums of original Gospel music, touring the Midwest as the supporting musical act for Knight Crusades. In 1996, Mary decided to return to her family roots in Maine to spend time with her parents and relatives. She lived happily in Maine with her partner, Charles “Buster” Morse. Mary and Buster loved to travel and spent many summers in Wisconsin, visiting friends and family. In October 2015, Buster passed away at which time Mary moved back to her family in Wisconsin.

Mary Rust is survived by a brother, Gordon Lord of Oxford; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Candy Darna of B­ruce, Wis., and his son, Sage; a daughter, Cynthia Stafford and her daughter, Mariah Stafford Hawkins; a son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Stacy Rust of Rice Lake, Wis.; a daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Jeff Heathman of Rice Lake, Wis., and their children, Taylor and Rivers; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Christle Lord of North Waterford; and her sister, Bonnie White of Otisfield.