Roger Marran Rust was born November 10, 1940 in Smith County Kansas to Roy and Ruth (Marran) Rust. He went to live eternally with Jesus on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the age of 76 years, 6 months, and 11 days. He spent his early years on the farm in rural Smith County near Reamsville. Later his family would move to a farm located across the road from the Marran Church. He would spend the rest of his adolescent years at Pudville in rural Phillips County. He graduated a Charger from Agra High School in 1959.
He would meet the love of his life, JoAnn Rebecca Lindgren at Woodston Camp Meeting in 1960. They were married on February 4, 1962 at the Assembly of God Church in Osborne, Kansas. To this union was born Lisa JoAnn in 1963 and Aaron Marran in 1966. Roger was a mechanic and car dealer during his early years of marriage. He worked hard fixing cars that would break down traveling on Highway 36, often in the middle of the night. In 1961 Rust Used Cars was opened in Kensington and later changed to Great Plains Motors when his father retired. The Rust Brothers began farming in 1974 and Roger spent many hours doing what he loved on the farm until his retirement in 2015. One of Roger’s favorite pastimes was hunting deer and other small game. He especially loved coyote hunting with his brothers David, Steve, best friend Larry Dennis and numerous other friends. He loved the outdoors and taking his family fishing on their pontoon boat at Kirwin Lake.
Roger and JoAnn traveled to Namibia, Africa in 2002 while Aaron and Glenda were serving as missionaries. They were in Africa for the birth of their Granddaughter Emma. While there, Roger was able to go on a safari and successfully hunted kudu, oryx and zebra. He spoke of the time he spent in Africa as one of the highlights of his life.
He was a faithful member and church leader at the Kensington and Pleasant Green Assembly of God churches. These churches merged and Roger helped in building the new Heartland Worship Center in Agra. He loved the Lord and the churches that he served in. Roger enthusiastically attended Promises Keepers in Kensington, and he looked forward every Friday to meeting with the men of his community.
Roger and JoAnn are known for their passionate love for the Lord and their hospitality. The Rust Hotel opened its doors to friends and strangers alike who needed a place to rest their weary head.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruth Rust, father and mother-in- law, Victor and Lola (Conn) Lindgren and a brother-in-law, Bernard Tipp. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn of the home in Kensington; daughter Lisa (Tom) James of Athol; son Aaron (Glenda) Rust of Prairie View; sister Arvilla (Jerold) McCartney of Phillipsburg; two brothers, David (Sharon) Rust and Steve (Ginger) Rust all of Kensington; Grandchildren, Torrie (Christian) Avila of Hastings NE, Luke Rust of Andover, KS, Jessica (Tyler) Haney with Great-Grandson Dimitrius Francis of Winchester, VA, Bobby (Karsen) James of Phillipsburg, KS, Ethan (Madison) Rust with Great Grand-daughter Harper Jo of Phillipsburg, KS, and Emma Lea, Anika, and Levi Rust of Prairie View, Kansas.
Roger was a man that loved the Lord, loved people, made them laugh, and feel special. He will be greatly missed by the family and a great host of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Heartland Worship Center, Agra, with Pastor Jonathan Gibson and Rev. Don Starnes officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center and 8:30 a.m. until services time Thursday, May 25th at the church. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Athol. Memorials may be given to Woodston Family Camp or Heartland Children's Program and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.