Germaine Rust

Germaine Grove Knickrehm Rust of St. James passed away at Mayo Health Mankato on February 7, 2022. Services for Germaine will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, St. James with Pastor Martin Lopahs officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at St. Paul's Church. A private family burial will be held at Mt. Hope cemetery. Germaine was born to George and Harriet (Wimmer) Grove on May 27, 1932, in St. James. Germaine was baptized at First Lutheran Church and was confirmed at East Sveadahl Lutheran Church. Germaine attended school in District #22 in Watonwan County, and she later earned her GED. On May 5, 1951, Germaine married Charles Knickrehm with whom she had three children. Charles and Germaine farmed in rural St. James prior to Charles passing away on June 25, 1969. Germaine continued to run the farm until she moved to St. James in 1981. She worked various jobs over the years and served as President of St. Paul's Ladies Aide and President of VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 1914. On February 6, 1987, Germaine was united in marriage to John (Jack) Rust at St. Paul's Chapel. Germaine and Jack spent many happy years together prior to Jack passing away on September 22, 2018. Germaine is remembered as a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved living in the country, working in her flower garden, baking bread and cookies, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends, playing cards, reading, and traveling. Most of all she loved her family. Germaine is survived by her sons Jeff Knickrehm (Linda) of Chino Valley, Arizona; Keith Knickrehm of Wiggins, Colorado; daughter Laurie Anderson (Larry) of Odin, Minnesota. Her stepchildren Julie Rust of Wyoming; Chuck Rust (Renee) of Apple Valley, Minnesota; and Mike Rust (Katie) of Rifle, Colorado. Grandchildren: Adam (Sara), Addie (Khary), Aspen (Ryan) Lacey (Michael), Lexey (Joshua), Dalton and Summer. Great-grandchildren: Safiya, Kijani, Braxton, Evelyn, Leighton, McKinley and Woodrow. Brothers: Lyle Grove, Lyndon Lang (JoAnne); sisters-in-law Mary Lou Knickrehm, Lorraine Sawatzky, Elaine Henze (Don), Pat Taylor and Shirley Hensel, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Germaine was proceeded in death by her loving husbands Charles Knickrehm and Jack Rust; her parents and parents-in-law; brother Jerry Grove; sisters-in-law Jermaine Grove and June Grove; brothers-in-law Harold and Reynold Knickrehm and Reynolds wife Louise and Scott Taylor, along with numerous other relatives and friends.