Jarussi Sisters Endowed Scholarship

Loretta and Lillian Jarussi immigrated to the United States in 1905. They came to Red Lodge, Montana, with their family in 1906. Excluding their years spent attending college, they both lived in Red Lodge the rest of their lives. In fact, they lived in the same house where they were raised. There were ten children in their family, eight of whom became teachers. All the children received a college education. Neither Loretta nor Lillian ever married, nor did they learn to drive. Loretta taught in country schools in the Columbus and Absarokee area, and then in Red Lodge. Her teaching career lasted 50 years at which time she retired. Lillian taught one year in Luster and her remaining years in Red Lodge for a total of 48 years. Loretta set up an educational scholarship trust for high school graduates from Carbon County. When she passed away in 1991, MSU Billings Foundation became the recipient of her trust. Lillian passed away in 2003. In honor of the two sisters who dedicated their lives to education, the Jarussi Sisters Scholarship Endowment was established in 1993 to provide scholarship assistance to education majors who are graduates of high schools in Carbon County. The first scholarships were awarded in academic year 1994-1995.