1920
R.
2009
R. House Rush
March 15, 1920 — September 26, 2009
"Duke" Rush, 89, of Overland Park, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Delmar Gardens. She was born March 15, 1920, to Louis A. and Grace G. House. Louis House was a prominent sports figure in Kansas City. He was a member of the Greater Kansas City Sports Hall of Fame for his coaching at Southwest High School, where the football field was dedicated in his name, and for officiating in Big 6 football as well as the Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl and Cotton Bowl.
On June 17, 1949, "Duke" married William A. "Bill" Rush of Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Rush was an outstanding sportsman who shared "Duke's" enthusiasm for sports. He served in WWII as a sergeant in the Army. After being shot down over Germany, he eventually escaped from Stalag 17 and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
After graduating high school, Mrs. Rush attended Research School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse. During WWII she was a lieutenant (JG) in the Navy serving at Balboa Hospital in San Diego and was later attached to the Navy Department in Washington D.C. until the end of her enlistment. Following that, she worked for an oral surgeon in Utah, which gave her the opportunity to ski for two years. Returning to Kansas City, "Duke" worked as a private duty nurse for Drs. Claude Hunt and J.G. Montgomery. She also worked as a school nurse for the Kansas City Missouri School District until the birth of her first child in 1951.
"Duke" was an avid sportswoman. In her younger years, she trained 5-gaited saddle horses, played tennis, enjoyed fishing and was a title-winning amateur golfer and bowler. Those titles included both the Missouri and Kansas State Ladies Champion and the Milburn Country Club Ladies Champion for golf. She also held state titles in bowling. Mrs. Rush debated about turning professional in tennis but instead decided to pursue a career in nursing. She also played golf with the St. Andrews Ladies Assn. and the Overland Park Ladies Assn. Family-oriented, she was a big supporter of the Kansas City Blazers Swim Team while her granddaughters were active with the organization. Mrs. Rush was also a huge fan of KU football and basketball, the Royals and the Chiefs.
Mrs. Rush was preceded in death by her mother, father, a nephew and her brother Jack House. She is survived by her daughter Kathy Zigeler and husband Ron of Overland Park; her son Mike Rush and wife Debbie of Prairie Village; four granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Greater Kansas City and the staff of Delmar Gardens for their care of Mrs. Rush.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo., at 2 p.m.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at the website www.dwnewcomers.com. Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204, (913) 648-6224.
On June 17, 1949, "Duke" married William A. "Bill" Rush of Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Rush was an outstanding sportsman who shared "Duke's" enthusiasm for sports. He served in WWII as a sergeant in the Army. After being shot down over Germany, he eventually escaped from Stalag 17 and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
After graduating high school, Mrs. Rush attended Research School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse. During WWII she was a lieutenant (JG) in the Navy serving at Balboa Hospital in San Diego and was later attached to the Navy Department in Washington D.C. until the end of her enlistment. Following that, she worked for an oral surgeon in Utah, which gave her the opportunity to ski for two years. Returning to Kansas City, "Duke" worked as a private duty nurse for Drs. Claude Hunt and J.G. Montgomery. She also worked as a school nurse for the Kansas City Missouri School District until the birth of her first child in 1951.
"Duke" was an avid sportswoman. In her younger years, she trained 5-gaited saddle horses, played tennis, enjoyed fishing and was a title-winning amateur golfer and bowler. Those titles included both the Missouri and Kansas State Ladies Champion and the Milburn Country Club Ladies Champion for golf. She also held state titles in bowling. Mrs. Rush debated about turning professional in tennis but instead decided to pursue a career in nursing. She also played golf with the St. Andrews Ladies Assn. and the Overland Park Ladies Assn. Family-oriented, she was a big supporter of the Kansas City Blazers Swim Team while her granddaughters were active with the organization. Mrs. Rush was also a huge fan of KU football and basketball, the Royals and the Chiefs.
Mrs. Rush was preceded in death by her mother, father, a nephew and her brother Jack House. She is survived by her daughter Kathy Zigeler and husband Ron of Overland Park; her son Mike Rush and wife Debbie of Prairie Village; four granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Greater Kansas City and the staff of Delmar Gardens for their care of Mrs. Rush.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo., at 2 p.m.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at the website www.dwnewcomers.com. Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204, (913) 648-6224.
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