John Clayton Rusk

John Clayton Rusk, born April 6, 1938, in Newton, Iowa to Lloyal Clayton (Clay) Rusk and Ethel Mae (Van Bentem) Rusk. John died on March 4, 2023, in St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of 84. While growing up in Iowa, John attended Urbandale Iowa High School (Class of 1956) and, then went on to attend the University of Colorado. His time in Colorado ignited his great love for skiing and the Rocky Mountains.

For his vocation, John was an actor who started his career by following in his father's footsteps as a radio announcer. He also worked as a television weatherman and did custom voice work, modeling and acting in film and commercials while living in the Chicago area. He had a part in the film Poltergeist III as the ‘Gallery man’. Jan Curtis, John’s longtime partner, and he took many trips, which they both loved. They took trips to Iowa, Colorado, Mexico, and California. They also spent many days at Jan’s Michigan cabin. These trips created many lifelong memories for them both. John had been married to Yvonne Coppock in his early adulthood, and they had two daughters, Whitney Elizabeth (Urheim/Leon) and Carrie Catherine (Urheim/Olsen).

John was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest daughter, Carrie, who passed away in 2021 and is survived by her husband Mike Olsen and John's grandchildren, My Linh and Hudson.

John is survived by his eldest daughter, Whitney Leon of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his partner Jan Curtis of Evanston, Illinois, and his brother, David (Dave) L. Rusk and his wife Barbara S. Rusk of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Wulff Funeral Home St. Paul, MN oversaw cremation and John’s ashes being interred 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, Iowa next to his mother and father.