Louis M. Kuster, 70, of Stanley, ND, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at his home in rural Stanley, ND.

Louis Merrill Kuster was born to Merrill and Lois Kuster on June 5, 1954 in Minot, ND. He was the second oldest of the six children born to the Kuster family. He was raised on the Kuster Family Farm and attended James Hill Country School through the 6th grade. Louis started attending Stanley High School in the 7th grade and graduated from SHS in 1972. He attended one year of college at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND before moving back home to help with the family farming operation. Louis was baptized, received his First Communion and Confirmation, married, and was a lifelong member of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stanley, ND.

On June 24, 1978 Louis married Jeri Lynn Meiers and together their family would become the fourth generation of Kuster’s to live and work on the Kuster Family Farm. Besides farming Louis worked at Prairie Ford as a mechanic for a few years, and also was a researcher for Sarah Vogel. Louis was very active not only in his community, but also served on many boards in the State of North Dakota. Louis was the James Hill accessor since the age of 17 (a position he just recently resigned from), served on the ND Wheat Commission board, Knights of Columbus, representative on the ND Durum Growers board, Barley Scab Initiative, a leader in the NDFPA, and was a lead plaintiff in a successful suit against USDA in the anti-dumping of durum wheat.

In 1988 Louis was an influential member and led the effort to revive the Rolling Plains Sportsman’s Club in Stanley, ND. He was an amazing marksman and shooting trap was an important part of his life. He was a lifelong member not only in Stanley Gun Club, but also the ATA, and the Minot Gun Club. Louis started and still continued to run the registered shoot held in Stanley every year. He was a past Colonel of the ND Roughrider Association, served on the ND State Board for over 30 years, ATA State Alternate Delegate for many years, and in 2016 he was awarded the Bill Fisher Sportsman of the Year Award. In 2023, Louis was inducted into the North Dakota ATA Hall of Fame. Louis was still very active and an inspirational member of the RPSC where he continued to help coach young kids start to find their passion for trap shooting.

Louis is survived by his wife, Jeri Lynn Kuster; son, Travis (Kelli Jo) Kuster; grandchildren, Gabriella Kuster (Wyatt Clark), Dalton Kuster (Lexi Erickson), and Kaitlyn Haider; great-grandchildren, Pepper, Beau, Connor, Braxton, and Karlie; brother, Bill (Ronda) Kuster; sisters, Mary (Dale) Enerson, Agnes (Aaron) Soland, and Ann (Tom) Holland.

He was preceded in death by parents; grandparents; sister, Alice Kuster; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorial Contribution