Lila M. Rusch, 97, of Hutchinson, formerly of Cosmos, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Funeral Service was Friday, October 11, 2024, 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos with interment in the church cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Sarah Jones; Organist: Carol Dragt; Special Music: “I’ll Fly Away”; Congregational Hymns: “In The Garden”, “Amazing Grace”, “I Need Thee Every Hour”; Casket Bearers: Grandchildren – Jason Vollmer, Missie Koenig, Heather Egge, Mitch Stockmann, Carly Rusch, Jonathan Egge, Brandon Shoutz; Honorary Casket Bearers: Grandchildren – Wendy Shoutz, Greg Vollmer, Chad Stockmann, Tammi Grundoefer, Cody Rusch, Crystal Egge, Spencer Vollmer Lila Martha Rusch was born to Carl Ludwig Boelter and Emma Amelia Schultze on April 8, 1927, at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield. She was baptized as an infant on May 29, 1927, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth on June 1, 1941, both at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos. She received her education at School District #53 in Cosmos. On September 27, 1946, Lila was united in marriage to Erwin Edwin Rusch at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos. This marriage was blessed with five children. Lila and Erwin farmed in Hutchinson, Corvuso, and Cedar Mills, before making their home on the farm in Cosmos. Their son, Randy, eventually purchased the farm. Lila and Erwin retired to their home in 1990 and moved to an apartment in Hutchinson in 2014. In 2016, Lila and Erwin relocated to an apartment at Ecumen of Litchfield. They shared 70 years of marriage until Erwin passed away on July 12, 2017. Lila’s favorite pastimes included spending time with her beloved family, gardening, camping, fishing, dancing, sewing, quilting, embroidery, attending church, playing cards and board games, and socializing with friends. She was a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos serving on the church circle, sewing quilts at church missions, and helping with Sunday/ Bible school. She will be fondly remembered for always putting her family first. Lila was of good health with the exception of being diabetic and having congestive heart failure. Her personality remained pleasant through this journey. Blessed be her memory. Surviving family: five children, 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 21 great-greatgrandchildren; twin daughter Marilyn Kruse Messner and spouse Gary of Hutchinson, granddaughter Wendy Shoutz and spouse Brad, great-grandchildren, Kenadie and Matt, Landon and Celeste, great-greatgrandchildren, Koda, Skarlet and Lou Ellen, River Lynn, and Nova Lynn; twin daughter Carolyn Vollmer and spouse Gary of Litchfield, grandchildren, Greg and spouse Tracy, Jason Vollmer and spouse Julie, Missie Koenig and spouse Jim, great-grandchildren, Brandon and Jami, Spencer, Jordan and Haleigh, Zach and Mya, Alexa and Brad, great-great-grandchildren, Jacob, Ellie Mae, Benjamin, Zoey Grace, twins Blair and Elsie; daughter Janice Stockmann and spouse Jim of Dassel, grandchildren, Chad and spouse Wendy, Tammi Grundhoefer and spouse Joe, Mitch and special friend Jennifer and her daughter Madi, greatgrandchildren, Trevor, Jessica, Taylor, Megan; daughter Julie Nelson and spouse Don of Richmond, grandchildren, Crystal Egge, Heather Egge, Jonathan Egge and spouse Shannon, Nick Egge and spouse Chanda, Dan Egge and spouse Jennifer, greatgrandchildren, Cullin, Afton, Ariel, Aybriel, Andi, Marcellus, reat-great-granddaughter Paisely; son Randy Rusch and spouse Joanne of Cedar Mills, grandchildren, Cody, Carly and special friend Jake, great-grandchildren, Corealine, Kenny; brother, Orville Boelter. Preceded in death by her spouse, Erwin Rusch; parents, Carl Boelter and Emma (Bakken); Erwins’ parents, Emil and Emma Rusch; son-in-law, Kenneth Kruse; their two infant children, Lisa and baby boy at birth; great-grandson, Jeremiah “Jake” Shoutz; siblings, Adeline and Raynard Johnson, Edwin and Lorena Boelter, Raymond Boelter, Clarence and Arlene Boelter, Esther and Elmer Wendorff, twin sister Lillian and Donald Kaping, infant sister Doris Boelter; nieces, Joan Kaping, Betty Johnson Dittbenner, Bonnie Boelter; nephews, David Boelter, Mike Boelter, Jerry Boelter. Arrangements by Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hector. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www. hantge. com.