The oldest member of the Spirit Lake Nation, Isabelle Greene Rusten, 99, of rural Warwick, ND,  passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at the family home of her great niece, Merritt and Joe Engels  at Maddock, ND, under the care of Mercy Hospice.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 25th, 2011,  10:00 AM  at St. Michael's Catholic Church in St. Michael, ND with Fr.  Brian Moen and Fr. Brian Bachmeier concelebrating the mass.  Burial will be later in the spring in the Devils Lake Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be:  Merlyn Greene,  Cory Greene,  Rod Cavanaugh,  Noah Engels,  Isaac Engels and Joe Engels.  Music will be from CeCe Kraft, organist and Becky Brandvold, pianist.  Honorary bearers will be her six generations of nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 4pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock and after 5pm in the church where there will be a Rosary and Scripture service at 8:00 PM.

Isabelle Greene was born September 22, 1911, the 9th of 10 children born to Charles and Mary Ann (Longie) Greene at the "East End" of the Spirit Lake Nation rural Warwick, ND, where she was also raised and educated.  Isabelle traveled, lived and worked in many areas of the United States before returning home, where she held various jobs.  She married Joe Rusten in 1949 at Devils Lake, ND and together they farmed near Warwick for more than 25 years.  Some of that land is now known as the Tribe Farm.  They also helped raise nephews Robert and Clarence Greene.  Isabelle and Joe retired and eventually settled at Black Tiger Bay near Warwick.  Joe passed away in 1995.  She continued to live there year round until 2005 when she began spending winters in Maddock with her great niece and family.  Isabelle enjoyed returning home to Black Tiger Bay each summer.

Isabelle lived to see 100 winters and her memory was excellent to her final days. Her grandfather knew General George Armstrong Custer or "Pahzee" (Yellow Hair). She remembered the flu epidemic of 1918 and could speak of significant events in every decade she lived.  Isabelle and family members were among few who survived being lost on the prairie during a blizzard in December of 1935.  She enjoyed hunting in her earlier years and was an avid fisherman most of her life.  Isabelle had a compassion for animals and loved quiet country living.  She will be remembered for her determination to be independent and her sense of humor.

Isabelle is survived by her adopted son (nephew) Clarence Greene of Devils Lake; his children:  Merlyn Greene of Grand Forks and Merritt Greene Engels of Maddock and grandsons:  Isaac and Noah Engels.   She was preceded in death by her parents;  husband;  brothers:  Jack, Warren, Angus, Silas, Daniel and Francis Greene;  sisters:  Elizabeth Anderson,  Jessie Gardell and Mary Greene;  her 4 children:  Isabelle,  Warren and DA Couch, Jr. and an infant son.






Condolences:

Our sincere condolences and sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!  Always,  Gene and Rene Allery

Just wanted to express my conolences to each of you in the loss of Isabelle. It is so admirable that you would care for her. Peace to her memory and all of you. Vonnie Johnson-Quam