Esther Lorraine Rusk

Early Wednesday morning, April 8, 2020 the loving hand of God along with her husband, Rich, reached down and lifted Esther Lorraine Rusk, 91, to her Heavenly home. She passed peacefully in her sleep with one of her granddaughters, Shannon, by her side, at her Aurora home of 58 years.

Esther was born in Winterset, Iowa to Charles and Belle Rogers. She was the last of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls, who have all proceeded her in death. Her family were share farmers in Iowa. She graduated from Winterset High School, Winterset, Iowa. Esther and Rich were married the following year, June 6, 1948, in Winterset, Iowa. Esther said that people had remarked it would never last. Well after 71 years, they proved them wrong.

Esther and Rich moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1950. Teresa was born there in 1951. They then moved to their first home in Aurora the spring of 1952.

While still in their 1st home in Aurora, their second child, Richard II was born in 1954 followed by their last child Debbie in 1957. Esther and Rich then moved the family to their 2nd and final Aurora home in 1962, where they lived till they passed.

Esther worked at P.I.E. Trucking Company in Denver in the office before becoming pregnant with their son. After that, Esther was a stay at home mother who would take in ironing to supplement the family income. Esther was truly the Matriarch of the family. As her children grew she made sure that the girls knew how to sew and all 3 children to cook along with knowing all basic household chores. After Debbie started kindergarten in 1963, Esther started to work for Aurora Public Schools as the “Lunch Lady”. She only wanted to do that for one year. Well, she enjoyed it so much, she retired after 25 years.

Esther was a woman that not only gave her time to her family but to other volunteer organizations. She was known for her smile that would light up a room when she entered, her helping hand, honesty, and love for her family and friends. She was active in the Aurora Police Officer Wives Association for several years, holding the position of President for 2 years in 1967-68. Esther was also a “Pink Lady” volunteer at the Medical Center of Aurora North for 28 years and at Banner Health Hospital in Mesa, Arizona for 15 years. She also held the position of President at both places.

As family orientated as they were, Rich and she would always would take the children on camping vacations or road trips yearly. After the children had grown Esther and Rich continued to camp, travel and fish until health made them stop.

Esther and Rich were “snowbirds” in Mesa, AZ from 1990 till last April. Declining health prevented them from returning to Mesa in October of 2019 for their 28th season. They were both highly respected in Silveridge Resort. They totally thrived there with all their friends and activities.

Esther and Rich were members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado since 1965. In the winter they were members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona.

She leaves behind her daughter, Teresa (Ronald) Maniscalco, son, Richard II all of Aurora, Colorado and daughter Debbie (Steve) Faint of Las Vegas Nevada, along with 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Due to the pandemic, there will be a funeral service but for the immediate family. It will be broadcasted through ZOOM meeting app on your phone or computer.

The information to view the funeral is:

https://zoom.us/j/292756406?

pws=NE51WVInUUpNWmFRWXVwRnJYMjM5ut09

Meeting ID: 292 756 406

Password: Esther

There will be a grave side service at 1 p.m.:

Olinger Eastlawn Cemetery

19600 E Smith Road

Aurora, CO

All are welcome to attend, but you will have to stay in your cars as the service will be broadcasted through a family telephone conference call setup.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be sent to:

Denver Hospice

501 S Cherry St., Suite 700

Denver, CO 80246

In Memory of Esther Rusk

Or www.thedenverhospice.org