Cleo R. Hustad

Dec. 23, 1914 – April 30, 2012

Cleo passed into the arms of the Lord on April 30, 2012.

Cleo lived a long, full, adventurous life. She was born in Elk River, Minnesota, daughter of Glenn and Clara Martin. She lived her childhood years on a farm with her brother, Willard and sister, Lela. She especially enjoyed riding horses. After high school, she moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, where she was employed as a waitress in a small family owned diner. There, she met Joe Hustad, the love of her life (the Coca-Cola delivery man). They were married in September of 1938. Their daughter, Kaye, was born in 1942.

From that time on her life was a whirlwind of adventure. Joe was assigned to open the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in Tokyo, Japan in 1947. They both adjusted well to life overseas where they spent many happy years together. Joe was sent to Pusan, Korea to open a Coca-Cola plant to supply our troops. Cleo and Kaye stayed in Yokohama, Japan. They also were assigned to the Philippines and finally, the island of Guam. Cleo was employed by the Navy as buyer for their Post Exchange and was considered to be an outstanding employee. They retired in Sacramento, California, where they enjoyed being close to family members. Cleo worked as a personnel manager for the local K-Mart store and helped in new store implementation in Idaho and other locations in the Pacific Northwest.

Later in life, after the passing of Joe, Cleo moved to Portland to live with her daughter and be close to her grandkids/great grandkids. She was very active, cooking dinner, visiting with friends and family. She was always gracious and beautiful for her age. She drove until age 90. A wonderful 90th birthday party was a highlight for her; with many friends and family attending.

As life takes us along our journey, she was in a wonderful foster care home the last year of her life. She always had a smile to share with her caregivers, Daleen Harris, Chrystal, and Heather.

She is survived by her daughter, Kaye O’Connor, sister, Lela Conlon, (Bemidji, MN.) grandchildren Kelly O’Connor (Portland) Michael O’Connor(Tokyo, Japan) and Bryan (Tiffany) O’Connor (Aloha, OR). Great Grandchildren Connor and Layne, Patricia and Troen, Meghan and Miles. She was blessed with many caring sister-in-laws, Adeline Lewis, Hazel Bloom, Yvonne Peters and Mavis Boyle (Don). Cleo would want to include Bonnie, Kirstie, Floyd, Bob, Lee (Deceased) Susan, Kevin, Sandy, Arlin, Jeff, Barbara, and Roger (children of her sister-in-laws). Her family also includes nieces and nephews; Joe Conlon, Glenn Conlon, Shirley Wastweet, Douglas Martin and Arlene Berg. Judy Halsan (Tiffany’s mother) is also a part of our family.

Thank you to our wonderful neighbors for their friendship and support over the years. Pastor Richard Gross and Edith, Linda and Ed Fatz, and Diane and Jim Kurageorge. Thank you, Carol Massenger, from St. Matthews Church for her monthly visits for so many years.

Cleo’s final resting place is next to Joe in Sacramento, California.

We will miss her. She is in our prayers.

Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel, Beaverton, Oregon.

Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel in Beaverton, Oregon.