CLARA DUST
Clara Dust of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt (formerly of Bruno) died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 21, 2012. She had celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and friends the month before. Clara, the second oldest of seven children, was born on June 8, 1912 on the farm at Willmont, SK to Mathias and Anna (nee Lueke) Rauw. Clara received her schooling at Willmont and, starting in her teens, helped on neighbouring farms, especially when there was a new baby in the house. On June 26, 1934 Clara married Alex Dust. Together they established a dairy farm near Bruno, SK and raised six children; four boys and two girls. Clara often joked that her youth had been all "cows and babies". On the farm Clara not only milked cows and took care of the house, but also had a huge vegetable garden, including fruit trees. She froze and canned and pickled and made jams and jellies to feed her family through the winter. She baked bread, raised chickens, and made her own pork sausage, cottage cheese and noodles. Her children were half grown before they realized that some people bought their food in stores. Clara's skills were a significant contribution to one of her and Alex's accomplishments, which was to give all six of their children a good education from the income of one quarter of land. This included sending their four sons to St. Peter's College at Muenster, SK, and their two daughters to St. Ursula's Academy at Bruno, SK, and then providing for their post-secondary education. In 1963 Clara and Alex sold the farm and moved into Bruno. Alex was employed at Pulvermacher's turkey farm. Clara still had a large garden, but she finally had time for leisure activities. She enjoyed biking, golfing and cross country skiing. Her favourite pastime however, was a good card game. She played cribbage right until the end. In 1986, Clara and Alex moved to Humboldt because of Alex's failing health. Alex died in 1991. Clara moved to St. Mary's Villa in 1999, first to the Enriched Housing, and then to the Long Hall. Clara was a life long member of the Catholic Women's League and Christian Mothers. She loved flowers, like her mother before her, and always made time to grow them, both indoors and out. Clara will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her six children, Norman (Jessie) Dust of St. Albert, AB, Colette Gunn (Ron Rogers) of Sacramento, California, Dennis Dust of Saskatoon, SK, Ron (Dianne) Dust of Kelowna, BC, Roman (Bonnie) Dust of Osoyoos, BC, and Theresa Dust (Michael Dawson) of Saskatoon, SK; twelve grandchildren (Jason, Loraine, Brian, Jerred, Paula, Kathy, Dean, Jacquie, Sherri, Michael, Todd, and Kristin); ten great-grandchildren (Joshua, Riley, Luke, Joel, Braeden, Riley, Jordan, Paityn, Lukas and Jake); two sisters, Mona Whelan of Saskatoon, SK and Freida Ryan of London, ON; one brother, Frank (Lucy) Rauw of Humboldt, SK; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Mathias and Anna Rauw, her husband Alex Dust, her brother Martin Rauw, her sisters Barbara and Agnes Rauw, and her brothers and sisters-in-law Joe Whelan, Jim Ryan, Art, Charlie, Tim and Tony Dust, Esther Nett and Clara Jacobson. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 27, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Augustine R.C. Church in Humboldt. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary's Villa Foundation. The family would like to particularly thank the staff of St. Mary's Villa, who were so good to Clara over so many years. Arrangements in care of John Schachtel - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, Saskatoon, SK (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca
