Walter E. Rusch, age 74, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2014.
Walter was born November 8, 1940, in Merrill, son of the late Walter G. and Florence (Combs) Rusch. He married Greta A. Henrichs on December 29, 1962, in the Town of Berlin. She survives. Walter’s career began as an insurance sales representative in Appleton, Wisconsin and Normal, Illinois. Walter and Greta then returned to Merrill where they owned and operated a dairy farm. After selling the farm, Walter worked as a carpenter, helping build many homes in the area, and he also grew ginseng. Walter enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially trips to Canada. He also enjoyed trapping, restoring his 1927 Reo automobile, riding his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, woodworking, and gardening. Walter and Greta enjoyed traveling, visiting Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, the Panama Canal, and the East Coast. Walter’s family and grandchildren were important to him. He taught his grandchildren about love of God, family, country, and a strong work ethic. Walter was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill, where he had served as an Elder and church treasurer. Walter served in the United States Coast Guard from 1960 until 1962, and had been stationed in Puerto Rico.
Survivors include his wife Greta A. Rusch, Merrill; three daughters, Sherri (Brian) Urban, Deerbrook, Cindi (Michael) Pierotti, Johnston, Iowa, and Gena (Gordon) Graves, Plainfield, Illinois; four grandchildren, Nicholas and Bailey Pierotti, Nate Graves, and Cody Urban; one brother, Harold (Joyce) Rusch, Merrill; his brother in law, Charles (Janet) Henrichs, Athens; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Walter and Florence Rusch, Walter is preceded in death by his father and mother in law, Clarence and Dolores Henrichs, his sister and brother in law, JoAnn and Roger Schlag, and a nephew, Brian Schlag.
Walter’s funeral will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 5, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Joel Hoelter will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Maine. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 4, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral, Merrill, and after 9:00 A.M. Monday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com