Verna Florence Elizabeth Rustan nee Pollard
January 15, 1927 ~ August 14, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Verna Florence Elizabeth Rustan, who passed away at the Dryden Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, with family by her side.
Verna was born in Dryden on January 15, 1927 to Russell and Gladys Pollard. She was sister to Ronald Pollard (1923-1929). She grew up in Oxdrift on the family farm and attended school in Oxdrift until the age of 14, it was then that the family moved to Dryden.
In 1945 she met the love of her life, Len Rustan. The two were married on August 28th, 1947 and enjoyed 69 years of marriage together.
On April 1st, 1949, Len and Verna opened a small coffee shop in Dryden and called it the LenVer Inn. In 1954, they added a four-unit motel and extended the coffee shop into a full-service restaurant. As years progressed additional units were added. In 1984, they retired from the business.
After a few years of retirement, Verna started on as a Greeter at the Dryden Walmart. She loved this work which involved interacting with customers as they entered the store. She maintained this job for over 25 years and only retired recently due to pandemic restrictions.
Verna’s greatest joy in life was her family. She loved her family as they loved her. She was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Many happy memories will be cherished of family gatherings, vacations and summers spent at the family camp on Blue Lake.
In the final year of her life, she moved to Patricia Gardens. It was there that she reconnected with old friends and made some new friends as well.
Verna is survived by her four children, Valorie (Wade) Garrow, Garry (Sandra) Rustan, Marilyn Rustan and David Rustan. She is affectionately known as “Nanni” to her 11 grandchildren: Stephen (Sarah) and Graham Garrow, Laura (Kevin) Margarit, and Lindsay (Alain) Garrow; Mark (Marcie) and Kevin Rustan; Jennifer (Travis) Randell and Michael (Stefauna) Coombes; Kyle (Jessica) Rustan, Brock (Chelsea) Rustan and Joel (Amanda) Rustan, as well as 16 great grandchildren: Grace; Caleb, Sarah, Bella; Alex, Kayden, Baylor, Iver; Nora, Leo; Ben, Olivia; Rio; Amelia; Dawson, Declan. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Verna was predeceased by her parents Russell and Gladys Pollard (Salton), husband Leonard Rustan, brother Ronald, and daughter-in-law Shirlee.
The family’s heart felt thanks goes out to the Dryden Hospital staff and nurses for the great care they gave mom and to Colleen Hill and the staff at Patricia Gardens for making mom feel welcome and comfortable in her new home.
After Glow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an after-glow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing time and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun, of happy memories that I leave.
When my life is done.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
A Private Family Graveside Service will take place at a later date.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the First United Church 23 Van Horne Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2A6 or DRHC Equipment Fund, PO Box 3003, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z6.
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
