Nina Jo Rusco, age 92, died on July 26, 2022, in Topeka, Kansas. Nina Jo prepared her life story to share.
Life of Nina Jo (wife, mother and teacher- AND Grandma- that’s me!)
I was born August 19, 1929, in Vining, Kansas, at the home of my grandparents, Charles and Ina Haynes Rusco. My parents were Hazel Rusco Huls and Joseph Hugh Huls. For a time, we lived in Ft. Worth, Texas, but when I was about 3, my parents separated, and I spent the next 22 years of my life with Mom, Granny and Granddad in the house where I was born. Though I missed the presence of my father, my life in small town Vining with my mother and her family was good for a little girl and I was mostly happy.
I attended 12 years in the Clifton Grade and High schools where I received my basic education. After my graduation in 1947, my friend Iris and I went to summer school at Kansas State College and in the fall, I began a teaching career that spanned the 50 some years between 1947 and 1998. I continued my education at Kansas State University for 2 full semesters and 10 summers and graduated in the summer of 1958. A few years later I was accepted to the graduate school of K- State but stopped my time-consuming studies just a few hours short of acquiring my master’s degree, to be home with my young daughters and husband on the farm.
On January 16, 1954, I was engaged to my long-time sweetheart, Delbert Rusco Jr. on his 26th birthday. We had waited a good many years to announce our commitment to each either, so it was an exciting and very happy day for us. Later that same year on December 26th, we were married by Dr. Samuel George in Manhattan, Kansas, at the KSU campus Chapel. We had both grown up as lonely, only children, so for us, just being together every day was very special. In the spring of 1956, we moved to the farm home where Jr’s parents began their married life in 1921 and where their only son, my Jr., was born in 1928. They resided on the farm until Delbert Sr.’s retirement at which time Jr. assumed the farming responsibilities. We lived here with our family until 1990 when I became the sole resident of the old farm home.
We had two beautiful daughters, Robin Hazel, in September 1959, and Roxanna Kathryn in July 1961. In 1981 Robin married Andy Vélez and they blessed us with four wonderful grandchildren: Jari Rusco, Elena Jo, Tessa Hawley, and Josiah Elliott. After Josiah’s birth in 1996, I thought our family was complete, but wonder of wonders, in January 2001, Roxie had a darling baby boy. My happiness was complete when she named him Charles for my beloved granddad. I love being “Nanny” to those 5 grandkids.
Most of the dear people of my early years were long ago lost to me including an infant baby sister Leonainie, my parents Joe and Hazel, grandparents, all of my aunts and uncles, cousin Diana and many, many good friends. All were gone too soon- or so it seems to me.
Tragedy struck our family in 1990 when my strong, handsome husband suffered a severe brain aneurysm which resulted in a devastating illness of 2 years and finally his death in 1992. I miss Jr. terribly, oh, so much, but I have found I’m happiest and almost content remaining in the comfortable home he provided for me- with all its wonderful memories! As of this writing in August of 2004, I’m still enjoying living here on the Rusco homesteaded farm tending my flowers and garden, reading, visiting, and dining with friends, and making frequent trips to spend time with my children in Topeka.
I am proud of my affiliation with several worthy organizations, but mine are very passive memberships as I’ve never been comfortable in a leadership or “hosting” role. I belong to the following: Presbyterian church, Eastern Star, Legion Auxiliary, Historical Society and D.A.R.
*Nina was also blessed with 5 great-grandchildren: Adelle, Callan, Silas, and Julian Vélez and Watson Stacks. Number 6 (great-grandson Stacks) is coming this September.
Burial will take place at the Rusco Cemetery close to the Rusco Farm where Robin and Andy spend a lot of time and are open to visitors.
Memorials can be made to the Nina Jo Rusco Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date c/o the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home.