James (Jim) William Rustad

I just read of Jim´s passing and am so sad to hear this. Jim was an amazing supporter of the arts and a champion of my work to reestablish the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St Paul. I will never forget his quiet grace, compassion, and humor. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Kay and Jim´s family. He will be greatly missed.

Jim and I crossed paths for only a short time, but it was meaningful. As a new executive director at Headwaters, he was both my toughest critic and my fiercest supporter. He pushed me to be clear in my thinking, and once he understood, he stood beside me fully.

Many talk about allyship-Jim lived it. He said what he meant and meant what he said.

I know for you he was a father, friend husband, and partner-and you were lucky to share so many years of his fierce love. I feel lucky, too, for the time I had with him.

With sympathy and respect,
David Nicholson

To Kay and the Rustad family,
It saddens our hearts in loosing Jim as an amazing neighbor at our lake cabin in Wisconsin. We spent many hours enjoying Jim`s hospitality and amazing cooking while watching the lake and listening to the loons. No words can express how much we will miss his warmth, humor, generosity, and discussing our views of the world. We are so blessed to have so many fond memories of shared evenings with Jim and Kay on the deck at Mallard Lake. We are thankful for the gift that he gave us in being a true friend.

Valli and Ted Sauer

My condolences to Kay and Jim´s family. I meet Jim and Kay working with the Park Square Theatre board and liked them both tremendously. Jim was a wonderful man, a generous patron of the arts and will be greatly missed. I am so glad I did get to know him. Betsy Cobb

My sincere condolences to Kay and Jim's family. I met Jim and Kay when I worked as custodian at the Airye. They found out that I was an artist and became great supporters of my work in so many ways. For the last five years Jim would pick me up and take me grocery shopping every week where we would discuss many topics to which he applied his understated wit and broad sense of humor. He was a true and always reliable supporter of my artwork and a dear friend, especially after my wife passed. I thank him for being a patient teacher and counselor

My condolences to Kay and the family. I got to meet Jim on a number of occasions. He always had a warm smile. After a life well lived, may he rest in eternal glory.

Deepest condolences to Kay and Jim´s family. Jim and I crossed paths many times over the years because of his civic engagement and deep commitment to arts and the community. He was a sweet and generous soul, and he will be deeply missed by everyone he touched.

Judy Hawkinson
Nonprofit Leader

God bless you Ted and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jim Rustad was a true sparkler, adding dimension to any gathering. He was a great communicator, always smiling and extending a hand in friendship, offering solid advice when needed and pushing the envelope when it came to supporting causes that offered benefits to the life and citizens of his chosen cities, St. Paul and Minneapolis. And, OH, he was SO funny - frequently sharing photos of discovered, misspelled signage, funny signs, an appealing plate of food, a photo of Kay solemnly reading the morning paper while
seated on a crate in a room emptied of all furniture awaiting a remodel.
Jim Rustad,
A model citizen and,
Yes, a "Rare Bird"! And
YES! Jim, You will be sorely missed!

Jim was a welcoming, warm, and generous person. He was a wonderful cook, a supporter of the arts and important causes, and he had a great sense of humor. We will miss him! Our condolences to Kay and the rest of the family.
-Alisa and Kevin

All of us at Park Square Theatre are deeply saddened Jim´s passing . He was a beloved patron and great friend of the theatre. He will be deeply missed

Kay, I was so sorry to learn about Jim's death. He was a tremendous community leader, serving so many organizations in the Twin Cities and beyond. I fondly remember garherings of international visitors at your home in St. Paul. I trust that the love and life that you shared with Jim over many years will help to sustain you during this time.

I served with Jim as a board member with Jim on the American Craft Council. Everything written in Jim´s obituary is true. He was fun, and a great dinner guest with Kay, an incredible team! I will miss Jim and his wisdom. Diane Hofstede

Jim was a much loved and respected member of The Skylight Club, a 135-year-old dining club, for the past 20 years and he will be sorely missed. RIP Jim, we will remember your wine commentaries for years to come. With sympathy and condolences to Jim's family,
Reggie Boyle, Non-President, The Skylight Club.

I am saddened to read of Jim´s passing. While living at the Airye Condominium, I had the privilege of knowing Jim and Kay primarily because we kept bumping into each other at various non-profit meetings and fund raisers, not to mention the elevator and farmers market. Condolences to Kay, family and the non-profit community that he supported.

Rest in peace, Jim -- you made the world a better place and created community wherever you went. Your support for international education and cross-cultural understanding was demonstrated through your love of Kay and her work, as well as your deep interest in art and culture. You will be deeply missed in so many ways.

So sorry for your tremendous loss, Kay! I will always remember Jim for his culinary skills. It was an education watching him cook as he was so willing to answer questions! Of course, anything he cooked was a special meal. He always had a great main dish to contribute to Airye potlucks. A kind and courteous man who will be missed by many.

My condolences to my dear friend, Kay, and to Jim's family. The three of us grew up together - grade school (Nathan Hale), Junior High (Ramsey) and High School (Washburn). The WHS Class of '59 voted Jim the "Wittiest" - and he was throughout his life. He was also a gourmet cook and wonderful host. I enjoyed many meals created in his kitchen and I cherish those memories of a man who lived life to the fullest.

What a tremendous loss to our arts community. Jim was a champion for The Soap Factory, and I loved seeing him and Kay at SooVac. All my love to Kay and everyone who was nourished by knowing Jim.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Jim on the Minnesota Museum Of American Art. He was definitely tireless in his pursuit of their expansion project. Besides that, he was a genuinely nice man. Jim, you will be missed. Love and peace to Kay and family left behind.

Jim (and Kay) represent how to be a consistent supporter of the communities he cared about. Honored to have known him and have the opportunity to partner with him in making our Twin Cities better! May his memory be a blessing to Kay & Family and all his friends!