Delores Rusch

Delores A. Rusch, 93, of Wausau, passed away under the care of Aspirus Hospice House on Monday, December 6th, 2021, six days before her 94th birthday.

Delores was born at Memorial Hospital in Wausau on December 12, 1927, to Elmer and Alma (Peterson) Goetsch.  On July 20, 1946, she married Lester Rusch at Zion Lutheran Church, in the Town of Maine.  They enjoyed 69 years of marriage before Lester passed away on February 27, 2016.   The couple was blessed with three children, Audrey, Leon and Julie.

Delores was a stay at home mom until 1965.   Because of her love of flowers she became a floral designer at Leap’s Greenhouse and later at Vullings Floral in Wausau.  She will be remembered for her dedication to her Christian faith, her family and her strong work ethic.  She was very involved with all ministries at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church including LWML, Altar Guild, Quilters, and Fellowship.  She sang in the church choir for more than 65 years.  Lester and Delores were instrumental in starting the Orphan Grain Train Ministry at St. Mark’s.  Delores was one of the original “soup ladies” at St. Mark’s, cooking soup for suppers held during Advent and Lent.  The family enjoyed many camping trips in the big green tent and annual trips to the Lutheran Laymen’s League conventions across the United States and Canada.  In later years, Delores and Lester traveled on many international tours with Polka Productions.

Survivors include her children Audrey (Jerry) Tomcek of Aniwa, Julie (Robert) Waterman of Wausau, and Leon (Connie) Rusch of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Greg Krass of St. Louis, MO, Melanie (Ryan) Kennedy of Wausau, Adam (Kelly) Rusch of Austin, TX, and Caitlin (Kevin) Fetherson of Whitefish Bay, WI; eight great-grandchildren, Cole and Olivia Kennedy, Ella and Lily Rusch, and Kaion, Kaseton, Kingston and Crosby Fetherston.  She is further survived by her brother James (Lydia) Goetsch, sister-in-law Geraldine Goetsch, and many nieces and nephews.

Delores was predeceased in death by her husband, parents, grandson Erik, grand daughter- in-law Betty Krass, brother Kenneth Goetsch, mother and father-in-law Emil and Alvina Rusch, brothers-in-law Arthur (Ruth) and Ervin Rusch, and sister-in-law Mildred Rusch.

The celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17th, 2021, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 600 Stevens Dr., Wausau, with Rev. Eric Hauan officiating.  Family and friends may call beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, town of Maine.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Aspirus Hospice House for the loving and compassionate care provided to our mother during her stay and the extraordinary kindness shown to our family.  You are angels among us.