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OBITUARY: Dorothy “Dot” L. Rusch

Dorothy “Dot” L. Rusch, age 84, of Washburn, passed away on July 11, 2016 at Northern Lights Health Care Center in Washburn, WI.  She was born on August 28, 1931 in the township of Brillion, WI, the daughter of Edmund C. Krueger and Hildegarde (Olm) Krueger.


Dot graduated from Brillion High School in 1949 and on December 3, 1949 she married her high school sweetheart, Otto J. Rusch, the son of Otto H. and Mathilda (Behnke) Rusch.  Dot was baptized at home, confirmed and married at St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in Kasson, WI.  The couple lived in Wisconsin all their lives.  They started their wedded life in Brillion on a small farm across from Otto Sr.  Then a new venture in 1955 took them and their three young children 60 miles west from Brillion to Waupaca, while in Waupaca they welcomed three more children.  They left Waupaca in 1974 and moved to Allouez for a short time then moved to Washburn in 1976, in 1987 they moved to their lake home in Iron River and lastly moved back to Washburn in 2003 where both Dot and Otto resided the remainder of their lives.  They enjoyed 65 years of wedded life together.

Dot was the quiet wife that “stood by her man.”  She had stated that she had always trusted Otto’s decisions and plans for the family and willingly followed him in his ventures trusting they would be best for the family and that they would have a good life.  She was an excellent seamstress and made clothes for herself and her 6 children.  She enjoyed playing golf and card games, and she was an excellent homemaker.  Their lake homes, in Waupaca and later in Iron River, brought special joy and laughter to her as so many shared good food, stories and fun in the water.    Most importantly, Dot was always so welcoming of their 6 kids’ families and friends.  She made hosting events with 36 or more people look easy and she always had a smile and hug for all.   She hosted family regularly for Christmas, Easter and so many birthdays.  She was a devout Christian and all their children were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.  Dot was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ashland.

Dot is survived by her six children, five of whom reside in Washburn: Dale, Debra (Kevin Smith), Rhonda (Tom Keyser) of Greenville, SC, Randall (Teresa), Raelyn (David Pearson), and Richard. Her eighteen grandchildren, Sarah, Molly, Ryan, Dylan, Adam, Aaron, Amelia, Marett, Brandon, Jordan, Garrett, Hannah, Tavis, Taylor, Claydon, Cole, Emma and Evan.  Eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  Her two sisters, Mrs. Lila Sommers and Phyllis (Harlen) Krahn, all reside in the Brillion, WI area.  Dot is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto on April 13, 2015, her parents, and brother Kenley.

The Funeral Service will be held at noon at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashland with Pastor Stan Bahn officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, July14th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bratley Funeral Home in Washburn and from 11:00 am until the hour of service at the church on Friday, July 15th.   The family would like to invite everyone to join them for lunch in the church fellowship hall after the service.   Burial will be at 3:00 pm in the Woodland Cemetery in Washburn.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 on Sunday, July 17th at St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in Brillion, WI. The family would like to invite everyone to join them for a meal at the Cobblestone Creek after the service in Brillion.

A memorial fund has been established in Dorothy’s name for Zion Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to Raelyn Pearson at 800 Memorial Drive, Washburn, WI  54891.

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