Educator, Navy WAVES veteran
Claremont Manor resident Kathleen Brustad died on February 4, 2008 at the age of 89.
Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 20, 1918, Ms. Brustad grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In her hometown, she attended Oshkosh State Teachers College, graduating in 1940. Later in life, in 1967, she earned a degree from Claremont Graduate University.
After completing teachers college, Ms. Brustad began her career in education as an elementary school teacher, first in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and then in Gary, Indiana.
In 1944, Ms. Brustad left her teaching position to join the navy WAVES. Originally, she planned to join the efforts of the Red Cross, but after her brother, a lieutenant and fighter pilot in the US Navy, was killed in the line of duty during World War II, she decided to become a member of the WAVES instead. As a WAVE, she primarily worked in personnel while stationed at Ft. McAllister, Oklahoma.
Following World War II, Ms. Brustad moved to Long Beach where she met her future husband, John Brustad. Married in 1950, the couple was married for 57 years.
In 1960, Ms. Brustad and her husband moved to Claremont after living in Downey for a period. She continued her teaching career and became a math and reading specialist for the Pomona Unified School District. She was also a consultant for the Rand McNally Publishing Co. and the California State Department of Education. After retiring from the education field, Ms. Brustad worked with homeless youth as a volunteer with Covenant House in Hollywood for 10 years.
Having taken piano lessons in her youth, Ms. Brustad still enjoyed playing piano in her later years.
Her son, William Brustad, described his mother as a very direct woman with strong opinions.
“She was not horribly obnoxious, just determined,” said Mr. Brustad.
Ms. Brustad is survived by her husband, John Brustad of Claremont; by her daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Mark Nardella of Moscow, Pennsylvania; by her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Vone Brustad of Fort Collins, Colorado and William and Lorraine Brustad of Perris; by her son, John Brustad of Dana Point; by her 5 grandchildren, Erik, Heather and Robert C. Brustad and Erin and Mike Nardella; by her two nephews, George Brustad and Harry Beck; and by her niece, Lois Hesse. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lt. Robert E. O’Callahan, US Navy, in 1943.
A Memorial Mass was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont on February 7, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to VITAS Hospice Care, 598 S. Grand Ave., Covina, CA 91724; or to Covenant House, 1325 N. Western Ave., Hollywood, CA 90027.
