In Memoriam – Veronica Fust, mother of Ted Fust ’80

Veronica Fust 

Mother of Ted Fust ’80

Veronica (McNiff) Fust was born and raised in Preston, MN. She grew up on a farm just south of town with her four sisters and was raised in the Catholic faith. She graduated in 1950 from Preston High School where she was active in band, theatre, and softball along with other activities and interests.

Not long after graduation, she moved to the Twin Cities. She enjoyed traveling and visited various states and cities in the US and Europe with a sister and good friend. Her favorite destination was Ireland.

When she met her husband Frank, they had an immediate connection as they shared the same birthday (only different years). They were married in Sept. 1958 and settled in North Minneapolis where they proceeded to raise their five children. Being a strong believer of education and having a strong Catholic Faith, she enrolled the children at St. Anne’s Parish. As they grew, she encouraged them all to pursue their own hobbies, interests and dreams. When they became empty nesters, they eventually moved to Crystal, MN, and remained there until moving to assisted living a few years ago.

In 1974, she developed and implemented the school lunch program at St. Anne’s School in North Minneapolis. She was director of the program until the mid-1980’s. From there, she joined the team at Norcostco in Golden Valley where she was a seamstress focusing on alterations and costume prep for plays and musicals. She worked there until her retirement in 2011.

Veronica led a very active life with interests in many different arenas. In addition to being the “lunch Lady” @ St. Annes, she was active in the PTA, Chair of school fundraising events & Athletic Director. She enjoyed gardening, golf, theater & performing arts, sewing and quilting along with many other interests.

She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren perform at various sporting events, meets and concerts etc. She especially was thrilled to make personalized Christmas stockings each year, filling them with candy and other treats for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Veronica’s life was devoted to making a better life for her family. She often worked two jobs to making sure they were fed, clothed, sheltered and provided for with faith. Her favorite movie was Lillies of the Fields. To paraphrase a quote from the movie, Matthew 6:28, “And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.”

May God be with her ‘til we meet again.

Veronica is preceded in death by husband, Frank; parents, Francis and Lillian McNiff; sisters, Madelyne Balcome, Teresa Powers, and Julie McNiff; and brother, Bob McNiff. She is survived by children, Margaret Fust-Olson (Mark), Trish Bosquez (Tony), Jane Fust-DeBruzzi (Ed), Ted (Connie) and Michelle Fust; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Lettenmaier; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorials preferred to North Memorial Hospice.

Rescheduled Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, November 19th, at 11:30 AM with luncheon to follow at St. Joseph Parish Center, 8701 36th Avenue North, New Hope. Interment has already taken place at Crystal Lake Cemetery.