Obituaries & Guestbook

Walter Alfred Rusch, aka “Wally or Butch”, 85, Oconto Falls, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon, February 21, 2022 at Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay, with his wife and children present following a short illness.  Wally was born in Gillett, WI to Walter and Edna (Zastrow) Rusch and shared his growing up years with his oldest sister Janet and younger brother Clyde.  Youngest sister Rellen came along and they shared a special friendship to the end.

Having met his wife in their teens, the couple would have celebrated 67 years of marriage this March 10, 2022.  With Jane by his side, Wally built a successful trucking business, starting with one truck that he built piece by piece.  Wally made numerous business acquaintances, some that became friends he held dear over the years.  After years of hard work, he spent less time trucking and more time buying and selling used trucks and equipment which he enjoyed right up until the end.  Jane supported him not only with the business, but by managing a household full of children.

Survivors are his wife Jane; daughters, Dawn (Steve), Karen (Chris), Janice (Mike), Luann (Ken) and Jennifer (Jon), sons, Kevin (Chris), Billy (Kelly) and Darren; sister, Rellen (Chuck); niece Beth (Pat) and many grandchildren whom he loved dearly for their unique and special personalities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mark and daughter Debra, brother Clyde and a sister Janet, two grandsons Christopher and Zachery and two brothers-in-law William and Jack Johnston.

Visitation will be held 2:00 until 7:00 pm Friday, February 25, 2022 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls with a celebration of his life at 7:00 pm which Pastor Larry Bong will lead.

The Rusch family would like to thank the kind and generous staff at Bellin Memorial Hospital, specifically ICU and nurse Michong for their support, care and compassion.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Shriner Children’s Hospital.