Elmer W. Rusch

Elmer W. Rusch was born on a farm west of Schleswig, Iowa, May 19, 1919, the son of Christian and Minnie Claussen Rusch. Raised on the farm, he was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig and received his education in the rural schools. Following his education he farmed with his father and later with his brother, Edwin. On January 15, 1956, Elmer was united in marriage with Mildred J. Petersen at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig. They made their home on a farm south of Manning, Iowa, where, in conjunction with farming, Elmer was also employed at M.J.M. In 1965 they moved to a farm south of Denison where they farmed until moving to Denison in 1973. After moving to Denison, Elmer was employed as a custodian for several area businesses until becoming a custodian at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in 1976 from which he retired in 1984. He spent his retirement years in Denison. In his spare time, Elmer loved to go dancing with Mildred, work on his woodworking projects, listen to polka music and enjoyed playing his accordion and keyboard. Elmer died suddenly at his home in Denison Wednesday evening, December 1, 2010. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 91 years, 6 months and 12 days. Including his parents, Christian and Minnie Rusch, Elmer was also preceded in death by two brothers: Harvey and Edwin Rusch; six brothers-in-law: Glen Beermann, Russell Justice, Willis Carstenson Roy Whited, Donald Klotz and Ben Saxton; and two sisters-in-law: Helma Rusch and Marilyn Whited. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years, Mildred Rusch of Denison, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Ruby Ann Beermann of Denison, Iowa, Darlene Justice of Irwin, Iowa, Joleen Carstenson of Denison, Iowa, Gladys Rusch of Schleswig, Iowa, and Hertha Saxton of Cherokee, Iowa; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: John and Marjorie Whited of Denison; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Private graveside services and inurnment were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 6, 2010, at Oakland Cemetery in Denison, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.