Raphael Lloyd Rusch

Raphael Lloyd Rusch, age 95, of Valders, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Raphael had resided at Manitowoc County Healthcare Center since October 2021.

Raphael Lloyd Rusch was born December 16, 1926 to Leonard and Stella (Severson) Rusch. He was baptized at Niles Presbyterian Church in the township of Eaton. He attended grade school at Niles public school and Kiel High School as well as Manitowoc technical school. He was confirmed in his faith at Valders West Lutheran Church.

On August 27, 1948 he married Violet Elaine Krueger at Bethel Methodist Church in the township of Schleswig. He farmed for many years and then did trucking before working on the Soo Line and Wisconsin Central Railroad for 30 years. He was an active member of the Collins Lions Club for many years and also loved camping, gardening and his dog Charlie. He belonged to Valders Lutheran Church all his life.

Raphael is survived by his four children Deborah Schleis, Brillion; Louis (Sharon) Rusch, Fond du Lac; Judith (Gary) Emerich, Mount Calvary; Dawn Amel, Fort Worth, Texas; one sister, Janice Brantley, Savage, Minnesota; Twelve grandchildren Kevin Gilbertson, David (Laurie) Gilbertson, Shane Rusch, Matthew Rusch, Nathan (Johanna) Rusch, Jeffery (Hoa) Faust, Jacob (Jodi) Faust, Jessica Faust, Derek (Jennifer) Amel, Donald (Adriane) Amel, Douglas (Roxann) Amel, Deanna Amel, also 18 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends also survive.

Preceding in death is his wife of 71 years, Violet (Krueger) Rusch, his parents Leonard and Stella (Severson) Rusch and father-in-law and mother-in-law Clarence and Myrtle (Erickson) Krueger, one brother Lowell Rusch and one sister Doris (Rusch) Hale, five brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law, Daniel Brantley, Audrey (Lawrence) and (Lucy) Jandrey, Wilfred (Barbara) Krueger, Harriet (Wendell) Knapp, Arthur Hale, and sons-in-laws Gerald Gilbertson, Daniel Amel, and Ronald Schleis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, 255 Roosevelt Street, Valders. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Jim Wilson with burial to follow at Valders West Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com.

The Christianson and Deja Funeral Home, Valders, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raphael Lloyd Rusch, please visit our floral store.