Obit: Rusch, Bernard R. 1884 – 1969)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Rusch, Steele, Bunten, Brower, Claussen, Green, Cords, Bennetts, Krause, Zarada, Frinack

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 17 Jul 1969

Rusch, Bernard R. (3 AUG 1884 – 8 JUL 1969)

Bernard R. Rusch passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital at Chippewa Falls after a lingering illness on July 8, 1969. He was born August 3, 1884 to Eliza (Steele) and Bernard F. Rusch in the village of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.). Until his death he was the oldest living person born in Thorp. At the age of 8, he and his parents moved onto the home farm, where his son Kenneth now resides.

In 1908, he and his family moved to Lindsay, Montana, where they homesteaded land.

On July 15, 1915, he and Grace Bunten were united in Christian marriage. To this union five children were born.

Immediately following their marriage, they moved to Montana, where eh resided for the next five years, moving back to Thorp in the fall of 1919, where he farmed in partnership with his father for the next ten years.

Because of illness, the farm was rented for one year, in 1929, and he spent that time in Glendale, Arizona, convalescing. In the fall of 1930, he moved back on the home place and farmed until his retirement five years ago.

After his retirement he made his home on the home farm.

Surviving are sons: Donald of Withee, Kenneth on the home farm, Ruth, Mrs. Peters S. Brower of Phoenix, Arizona, and Joyce, Mrs. Willard C. Claussen of Thorp.

Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Allen (Ruth) Green of Prescott, Arizona, and Mrs. Ralph (Susan) Cords of Glendale, Arizona, and other relatives and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister, his wife, and one son.

Funeral services were held July 12, 1969 at the Thorp Methodist Church, with Rev. Wendell Bennetts of Plainfield, Wis., former minister of the Thorp M.E. Church, and longtime friend of the Rusch family, officiating.

Burial was in the East Thorp Cemetery at Thorp, Wisconsin.

Pallbearers were: grandsons, James, Bernard and Donald Rusch of Withee, Grandsons-in-law, Glenn Krause of Milwaukee, Frank Zarada of Des Plaines, Ill., and cousin Charles Frinack Jr. of Thorp, Wis.