Obituary of Wilbert Rusch

In Memory Wilbert Arthur Rusch, the son of Arthur James and Gladys Lava (Schlarbaum) Rusch was born on January 10, 1915, in Westport Township, Dickinson County, Iowa. Wilbert lived in Dickinson County never more than five miles from the farm where he was born most of his life until he retired. He had Tuberculosis as a child and spent time in Iowa City Children's hospital. He attended school at Dickinson county country schools through the 8th grade. During his teen and early adult years he worked out as a day laborer on neighboring farms. Wilbert loved to dance and could be found most weekends at dances at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park and other dance halls in the surrounding communities. In the early 1940’s he starting farming with his father on the Wes Wunn place and eventually took over the responsibility of the farming. During this time he also participated in the amateur boxing held at Arnolds Park and was also on the Arnolds Park police force. He married Melva I. Snyder on March 6, 1943 at Spencer, IA and they made their home on three farms in Westport Township with the final one being the farm on which he was born. To this union two children were born, a daughter, Susan Kay and a son, Morris Duane. Wilbert loved farming and all that went with it from doing field work with horses to finally sitting in the cab of his combine doing custom work. They retired from farming and in 1992 they moved to Hartley, IA. They did continue with their large "farmers market" garden that Melva had started when out on the farm and participated in the Farmers Markets in both Spencer and Hartley until the early 2000's. Melva passed away in 2005 and Wilbert continued to live at their home until his death. Wlbert also continued Melva's love of flowers by keeping the flower beds full around the house. He enjoyed going for rides in the country with his good friend and neighbor, Jim Wittrock, watching re-runs of the Tommy Dorsey Band and Lawrence Welk on TV and he could be seen in the summer cruising the residential streets of Hartley on his battery operated scooter up until his death. Wilbert was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hartley. Wilbert passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Susan K. Burdick of Spencer, IA, his son Morris D. Rusch and wife Judy of Hartley, IA, two granddaughters, Amanda S. Rusch of Wayne, NE, and Elizabeth A. Morris and husband Matt of Fairmont, MN, a brother Orville L Rusch and wife Evelyn of Hartley, a sister-in-law Gloria Dykstra of Spencer, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his maternal grandparents, George H & Maggie (Brallier) Schlarbaum and paternal grandparents Jacob K. and Anna Mary (Turner) Rusch, his wife of 62 years Melva I. Rusch in 2005, a son-in-law, James Burdick in 2013, a sister and brother-in-law, LaVerna P. and Marvin Underwood, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lois and Leo Hove, a brother-in-law Elmer Dykstra and a nephew, Keith Rusch. He will be missed by family and friends and not forgotten. In Celebration of Life Wilbert A. Rusch Born ~ January 10, 1915 Died ~ October 8, 2013 Age ~ 98 years 8 months 28 days Funeral Service 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2013 United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Julie Back Soloist ~ Gary Klett Special Music ~ "The Old Rugged Cross" "How Great Thou Art" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "Sweet Hour of Prayer" #496 Recessional ~ "Close To Thee" #407 Pallbearers Tom Underwood Vernon Underwood Kent Rusch Mike Schmelling Bruce Johnson Rod Dykstra Usher Ron Sterk Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/S5J2J8BQHFT8GFRG" width="512"></iframe>