Agnes M. Rusy

Agnes M. Rusy, age 88, of Brookfield, WI, died on June 10, 2024, at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield.

 Agnes was born on January 30, 1936, in Sturgeon Bay, WI, where her father was Door County agent. A year later the family moved to Madison, WI, where her father took a position with UW-Madison. Agnes grew up in Madison where she graduated from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Madison West High School, and UW-Madison. She taught sixth grade in Madison and then went back to UW-Madison for a master's degree in guidance and counseling. While earning her degree, Agnes supervised student teachers for UW-Madison. Agnes was a guidance counselor for many years at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa, WI. 

Agnes loved to be outdoors. She was happiest at her beloved Rusy cottage on the shores of North Bay in Door County, gathering and chopping wood, building campfires, and singing around the campfire. From the time she was a baby she spent summers at North Bay where she loved to swim, kayak, and sail.

Agnes also loved antiques, especially primitives. She spent much time refinishing furniture and caning chairs. She was a member of the Circa Antique Club.

Agnes was a world traveler, traveling to every continent, except Antarctica, and visiting nearly fifty countries. She was a member of Friendship Force, traveling with them on many journeys.

In retirement Agnes, who played the ukulele, went to many nursing homes to entertain the residents. Agnes loved to sing and had an amazing repertoire of songs and knew multiple verses by heart. 

Agnes was a gentle, humble soul, kind to all. She could light up a room with her smile. Even in later years, when struck by Alzheimer's, she brought joy to others and made everyone else feel good.

Agnes' profound faith and love and trust in God made her who she was. She was a devout Catholic her entire life. Her favorite saint was St. Anthony of Padua. St. Francis of Assisi was a close second.

The youngest of four children of the late Agnes Wolfert Rusy and Ben F. Rusy, Sr., Agnes outlived all her siblings (Ben F. Rusy, Jr., James Rusy, and Mary Rusy Schultze). She is survived by nine nieces and nephews and her best friend, Ann E. Line.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Blessed Sacrament School in Madison (https://school.blsacrament.org/general-donation).

A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Agnes on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at noon at St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Church located at 1260 Church Street in Elm Grove, WI. 

May she rest in peace.