Obituary of Mrs. Christine Zrust Thursday May 13, 1971

Mrs. Frank G. (Christine) Zrust passed away at Burns Manor nursing home in Hutchinson on Tuesday, April 27, 1971, at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 2 days. She suffered poor health for many years, but her “pioneer” spirit kept her going.

Funeral services for Mrs. Zrust were conducted at the Presbyterian church in Silver Lake at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30, with Pastor Wesley Harker officiating. Mrs. Joseph J. Smoley was organist. Miss Karen Plihal and Miss Susan Jo Smoley sang the hymns “Asleep in Jesus” and “Under His Wings “; also the congregation sang “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say ‘Come Unto Me and Rest’.”

Interment was at the Presbyterian cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons, Thomas Plihal, Steven Smutka, Reed Birkholz, Jeffrey Dostal, Douglas Zrust, and Daryle Zrust.

The Silver Lake American Legion Auxiliary held services on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. at the Maresh Chapel by members and Chaplain Mrs. Tom Smith. Hymn “Asleep in Jesus” was sung by Miss Barbara Hlavka and Miss Jeannie Merrill with Miss De Ann Totusek the pianist.

Mrs. Zrust was a Gold Star mother given this honor by the Silver Lake American Legion post and auxiliary.

Mrs. Zrust, nee Christine Slama was born on a farm north of Silver Lake in Hale Township, October 25, 1886, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Starry) Slama. Her youth was spent in the Silver Lake area and attained her education n McLeod County, District 69.

In 1906, she and Frank G. Zrust were married by Dr. Pokorny at the Presbyterian church in Silver Lake. Together they farmed in Karlin, Michigan for the first seven years of marriage, and then moved back to Silver Lake.

Mrs. Zrust continued to reside in Silver Lake following the death of her husband in February , 1949, and about a year and a half ago when she moved to the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. David Plihal in Hutchinson until entering Burns Manor.

Surviving Mrs. Zrust are six daughters, Irene, Mrs. Dennis Malroney of Willmar; Camella, Mrs. Anthony Rinella of Cicero, Ill. Helen, Mrs. Henry O. Dostal of Silver Lake, Midred, Mrs. David Plihal of Hutchinson, Harriet, Mrs. Milhart Smutka of Richfield, Lorraine, Mrs. Roland Birkholz of Lester Prairie; and two sons, Fred Zrust of Cosmos; Earl Zrust of Mankato; 23 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law.

Preceding Mrs. Zrust in death in addition to her parents and husband, were two sons. In 1944, during World War II Sgt. LeRoy Zrust was killed in action on Biak Island in the southwest Pacific. Frank D. Zrust died within two and-a-half weeks of his mother, on April 10 1971. One sister, Anna Stanek died in Michigan in May 1969.

Another one of our true pioneers, Mrs. Zrust was a very devoted mother, always putting her family first. She held a very special place in the hearts of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will forever treasure many memories of her kind ways and deeds. No one can ever take her place in the hearts of those who loved her. Just looking at a beautiful flower, hearing the song of the birds or the wonderful smell of fresh baking will bring back some fond remembrance of her to her family. Her brown withered hands, now at rest, were a symbol of a lifetime of hard work and unselfish love.

A host of friends and relatives from the very young to old, from near and far came to pay their last respects: Cicero, Illinois, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Evansville, Illinois, Waconia, Norwood, Cologne, Minneapolis, Wayzata, Worthington, Rochester, Mankato; St. Cloud, Bloomington, Richfield, Cosmos, Glencoe, Lester Prairie, Bird Island, Hopkins, Hutchinson and the Silver Lake area.