Doris Rusk

VISITATION ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22ND FROM 4:00 - 6:00 PM HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Doris “Dory” Alvina Bertha Rusk was born to Ira “Howard” and Anna [Kroeger] Sumption on November 30, 1929 in Ruthton, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed at Aetna Lutheran Church in Ruthton.  She was raised on farms within a two-mile radius of Ruthton, MN where she attended Ruthton public schools through the eighth grade.

Dory’s early years of employment began as a clerk for Madsen’s grocery store in Ruthton, MN. She was united in marriage to Alfred Larson in 1948.  They settled in Pipestone, MN where Dory candled eggs at Armour’s, next worked for Lange’s Manufacturing, and later was employed at Pipestone Marine Corporation.

In 1975, Dory married Harvey Kooiman in Edgerton, MN and in 1978 they retired and moved to Alexandria, MN residing on Lake Geneva.  In 1986 Harvey died unexpectedly.  A few years later, Dory was introduced to Kenny Rusk and they were married in 1990.  She enjoyed their life together on Lake Ida in Alexandria, MN.  Kenny passed away in 2002 and she eventually moved off the lake into Alexandria where she has remained.

Dory was diagnosed with liver cancer in July 2020 and entered hospice 2½ months later.  She peacefully passed away on October 17, 2020 surrounded by family at the age of ninety years, ten months, and seventeen days.

Dory enjoyed playing cards, family reunions, bus trips to the casino, baking, and knitting round afghans which she gifted to many relatives and friends.  However, her greatest pastime was keeping in touch with regular phone calls to her loved ones.  She was the family’s “go to” for info.  Her faith was also an important part of her life.  She was an active member of Faith Community Church, Alexandria and First Presbyterian Church, Osakis.  And most recently, she became a member of First Lutheran Church, Alexandria where she loved listening to the radio broadcast of their Sunday morning worship services, especially this last year when “in-person worship” was restricted.

Dory was a woman who possessed a quick wit, a hearty laugh, and a generous, loving spirit.  She shared a special friendship with her caring neighbors at Hawthorne Estates, where she resided.  She will be sorely missed by her loved ones.  She is lovingly remembered by her brothers: Emery Sumption, Cambridge, MN and Russell [Mary Ann] Sumption, Alexandria, MN; 9 stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husbands Harvey and Kenny; siblings Irene Larson, Leone Heldt, Carol Stier, LeRoy Sumption, and Sylvia Henderson; an infant brother, Robert; and her parents.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020, with Memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home.  The service will be live streamed.  Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton, MN on Saturday, October 24, 2020, 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church Radio Fund or Douglas County Hospice, Alexandria, MN.