Lillian Kathryn (Bauer) Rusch, 88, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Hays Med Center in Hays, Kansas.

Lillian was born May 12, 1929 in Wakeeney, Kansas, the daughter of John Jacob (Jake) and Eva K. (Bauer) Resley. She was baptized as an infant at the Zion Lutheran Church of Trego Center. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She attended Russell schools and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Russell High School.
On August 14, 1949, she married Louis A. Rusch at Hoisington, Kansas. They lived in Russell before moving out to the family farm in 1966. They had two children, Connie Lynn and Louis Alan. Her husband preceded her in death on July 21, 1987 after a long illness. In 1997 she sold the family farm and moved back into Russell.

Lillian started working in the Russell community at about 1943. She worked for the Dream Theater and Mecca Theater as a ticket taker and Box office cashier. She was working at the Dream at the time of the fire, worked there until October, 1950. She then worked several years as a waitress at Bonnie’s Steak House, Eat in Time Café and the Tower Café. She then went to work for the A.L. Duckwall Store as head cashier. In April of 1966, she went to work for the Home State Bank as a bookkeeper and teller. She was there when the bank changed hands in March of 1988. She worked for Sunflower Bank until her retirement in 1990.

Lillian was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She served her unit as President four times. She was elected 6th District President for the year 1999-2000 here in Russell. She served on many chairmanships on the unit, District and Department level. She was Girl State Chairman for her unit for many years. She was a member of the Past Presidents Parly and a VIM (Life) member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.

Lillian’s surviving family include her daughter, Connie Klein of Russell, Kansas; son, Alan Rusch of Russell, Kansas; four grandchildren, Tiffinie Mai (Monty), Tammie Becker, Mersadi Rusch and Alexis Rusch; three great grandchildren, Lane Mai, Braden Mai and Bailey Kilian, and a great great grandson, Brantley John Kilian. Freida Bauer sister in law San Diego, CA and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louis and brother, Vernon Bauer.

A Private family service will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with American Legion Post #99 Auxiliary. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.