Waldine Virginia (Pfluger) Rust

Waldine Pfluger Rust, age 86, was born on a farm in Travis County near Rice’s Crossing on March 31, 1930 to Alfred and Lena Jund Pfluger and entered into eternal rest on October 27, 2016. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Coupland, Texas where she was an active member of the Youth Fellowship and served as church organist when needed. Waldine attended a two-room elementary school where her first experience in art was drawing her favorite horse, Black Beauty. She graduated in 1947 at age 17 from Manor High School and began her first art lessons in pastel from a Mrs. Smith in Taylor, Texas. On June 24, 1950 she married Vernon Rust and they were blessed with three loving children. She was a member of the United Christian Church in Austin, Texas where she served in many different capacities which included the church council, choir and women’s fellowship. After moving to Parmer Lane Brookdale Assisted Living in February 2015, she was blessed by the weekly Bible studies of Ray Waugh, pastor of Walnut Creek Baptist Church.

Desiring to pursue her art career she began studying with Bert and Wes Spier in 1966 who taught her the basics in oil. Soon she found herself teaching others what she knew in four weekly classes in her garage. Wanting to show her art to the public, she and several artists organized Town Lake Art Club. Exhibits were held regularly in Zilker Park and the new Highland Mall shopping center on Airport Boulevard. Every fall she participated in the Austin Art Festival and traveled the entire state showing and selling her work. In 1976 she and several friends opened Roger’s Art Gallery on Anderson Lane which then eventually led to her adding a studio to her home where she could paint and teach.

Even though she enjoyed painting and attending art shows, her real joy and satisfaction came from helping people who thought they had no talent become artists. Twice a year, for over twenty years, she graciously volunteered her services and studio as the Lifetime Learning Institute location for adults over 50 to attend oil painting classes. Her students, male and female alike, came from all walks of life, political and religious persuasions. Many lasting friendships were formed among these very compatible people who hailed from all over the United States and many foreign countries.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Rust, her parents, her sister Ruth Pfluger and brother Erwin Pfluger. Those left to cherish her memory are son and daughter in-law, Keith Rust and Betty from Arlington, Texas, son and daughter in-law Steve Rust and Kim from Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter and son in-law Gail Quimby and Michael from Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tyler Rust and his wife Jessica and Dillon Rust and his wife Brandie from Edmond, Oklahoma and great grandson Owen Samuel Rust also of Edmond, Oklahoma. Two special nieces, Lucy Pfluger and husband Tommy Stewart of New York City and Mary Pfluger and husband Gary Keller of Austin are also survivors and a grand nephew, John Keller. She will be missed by her late husband Vernon’s family and countless friends as well.

The family is grateful to the staff of Brookdale Parmer Lane Assisted Living and Robinson Creek Home and Hospice Care and wishes to thank friend and neighbor Arlee Wolf. Memorial gifts may be made to Walnut Creek Baptist Church or Robinson Creek Hospice Care. After a private burial with the family, a memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. A visitation time with the family will be 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31, 2016. Both the memorial service and visitation will be held at Cook-Walden Capital Parks, Pflugerville.

Please visit Mrs. Rust’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com