Luilla Annette Lusty, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, with family by her side at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center in Minot, ND. 

Luilla (Lu) was born in Hoople, ND, to Lucy (Swanberg) and Malcolm McLennan on December 31, 1930.  Lu was raised in Hoople and graduated from Hoople High School.  While in high school she enjoyed basketball, cheerleading, ice skating and a group of friends who have stayed in touch through a round robin letter for decades.  After high school Lu attended Concordia College and Mayville State College, graduating with an Associate Degree of Education.  Her first teaching position was in Aneta, ND, as an elementary teacher.

While in Aneta, Lu met the love of her life, Gene Lusty, who had just returned from the Navy.  They were married June 22, 1952, in Hoople, ND.  After marriage they settled in Devils Lake, ND, followed by a move to Drayton, ND, where they enjoyed raising their two daughters, Dawn and Lori.  Lu and Gene were a great example of a couple dedicated to each other for 68 years.  While in Drayton, Lu began teaching again and continued teaching the sixth grade for over 30 years.  Lu loved teaching and treasured her students with many former students staying in touch with her for the rest of her life.  Lu went on to finish her education during the summers at the University of North Dakota, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  Education was very important to Lu, even after retirement she continued to tutor students in North Dakota and Texas.  

Besides teaching, Lu loved to read and knit, making beautiful sweaters for each family member.  She enjoyed teaching her daughters how to sew.  She loved art and taking classes on China painting, Rosemaling and ceramics, leaving several painted treasures with her daughters and grandchildren. 

Lu was very proud of her Scottish heritage and stayed in touch and visited with family who followed the McLennan genealogy.  She also belonged to the Robert Burns Society honoring Scottish heritage.  Lu and Gene loved camping and traveling, starting with tents, when their family was young and upgrading to campers and eventually an Airstream; they joined the Airstream travel group and traveled around the United States making friends along the way.

After retirement they began traveling south to Texas each winter and eventually resettled full-time in the Rio Grand Valley, connecting with a large group of friends.  Gene passed away in Texas in 2020.  Lu’s daughters encouraged her to move back to North Dakota to be closer to family.  She moved into an apartment in Edgewood Vista in Minot in 2021 and made friends with a whole new group of neighbors and staff.  Lu had a strong faith and lived a life full of love and joy.  Her favorite Bible verse was, ‘This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ Ps 118:24. 

Family:  Lu is survived by her daughters, Dawn (Greg) Barnard, Keenesburg, CO, and Lori (Mark) Scharmer, Mohall, ND; five grandchildren, Melissa (Paul) Loveday, Calne, England, Valerie (Phil) McClure, Wichita Falls, TW, Derek (Emily) Barnard, Denver, CO, Aimee (Mark) Wilson, Roseau, MN, Drew (Kelsey) Scharmer, Minot, ND; nine great-grandchildren, Tyler, Mason, Logan and Lila McClure; Violet Loveday; Max and Bryn Wilson; Gabriel and Harper Scharmer. Lu treasured her big loving family that included many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Each new family birth was celebrated. 

Lu was preceded in death by:  Her husband, Gene Lusty; her parents, Lucy Baeske and Malcolm McLennan; sisters, Williamine Zuelsdorf and Eugenia Rutherford; brother, Donald McLennan; and grandson, Noah Loveday; father- and mother-in-law, Sophie Lusty and William Lusty; brothers-in-law, Eber Lusty, Gorden Lusty, David Lusty, Freeman Johnson, Alvin Holter, Ray Zuehlsdorf, Joe Rutherford; sisters-in-law, Adeline Holter, Joanne Johnson, Beverly Lusty, Sue Lusty and Sheena Lusty. 

A memorial service will take place at a later date.  Friends may sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com. (Brose Funeral Home, Mohall, ND)