Wallace “Wally” Burdette Bustad, 83, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

He was born Oct. 5, 1935, in Austin to Ingvald and Augusta (Hanson) Bustad. Wally attended and graduated from Austin High School, after which he entered the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, he began working at Lysne Construction. He then started his own business, Wallace Bustad Crane Service. Later in life, he started Bustad Excavating and Roll Off. In his work, he tore down over 1,000 buildings, including government centers, homes, jails, churches and even finished tearing down the old Hormel Plant. He tried to find ways to repurpose the usable supplies from the tear downs. He retired in 2014. In 1999, he purchased Chateau Speedway. He owned the racetrack for over 10 years and ran modified race cars for 13 years. Wally was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Eagles of Austin, Chamber of Commerce and the IUOE Local 49. Wally enjoyed supporting the Lyle Cancer Auction. He took trips to Vegas for Construction Expos. He enjoyed flying and had his license to fly in 1959. Wally enjoyed driving motorcycles, snowmobiles and go-carts. He was a generous and trusting person to a fault, always wanting to help out others. It didn’t matter who you were, he was always there to talk to you. Wally will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his three sons, Timothy Bustad of Austin, Brian (Tammi) Bustad of Rose Creek, Minnesota, and Randy Bustad of Blaine, Minnesota; Walley’s girlfriend, Doreen Nelson of Dexter, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Nathan, Brendan, Bryton, Isaac, Tommy and Amber; three great-grandchildren; brother, Arnold Bustad of Cross Lake, Minnesota; and two sisters, Marion Baxter of River Falls, Wisconsin, and Deanna Schewe of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Ingvald and Augusta Bustad; siblings, Kenneth (Beverly) Bustad, Violet (Rodney) Huckabay, Evelyn (Dwain) Beckel and Edward (Pat) Bustad; sister-in-law, Arlene Bustad; and brothers-in-law, Keith Shewe and Richard Baxter.

A private funeral service will be held at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin with Pastor Mark Niethammer officiating.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.