Irvin Rouster

Irvin Rouster, 80, of Caledonia, died Saturday, February 12, 2005, at Caledonia Care and Rehab in Caledonia, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2005, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Gregory Leif will officiate and burial with military rites will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, New Albin. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 am Wednesday morning before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Mary's School or St. Mary's kitchen fund. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Irvin Mathias was born November 29, 1924, in New Albin, Iowa, to Peter and Rosemary (Freilinger) Rouster. He attended school in New Albin and served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1946. He was Coxswain on the USS Philippine Sea. He also served on the USS Mayama, the USS Daniel, The USS Wyoming, and the USS Springfield. He was awarded medals for Occupation Service, Good Conduct, and China Service. After serving his country he worked for Consolidated Freight Lines of Minneapolis as a trucker and a mechanic.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating. In 1972 he moved to Caledonia and lived with his sister, Butch Schutz for many years. He accepted and loved his grand nieces and nephews like grandchildren and he enjoyed making wooden trains and other wooden toys. He was a member of the New Albin VFW.
He is survived by a brother, Cecil Rouster of New Albin, Iowa; four sisters, Viola Wiemerslage of New Albin, Philamanie Schutz of Caledonia, Helen (Blaine) Gaare of Mabel, Minn., and Evangeline "Vangie" Schellsmidt of Caledonia; an aunt, Elizabeth Lamb of LaCrosse; and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Harold.