Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 16, at the Peterson Mortuary [Glenwood, Iowa] at 10:00 am, 2005 for Nancy Lee Rusco.

Nancy Lee Rusco was born June 1st, 1934 in Lenox, Iowa and departed this life on November 12th, 2005 at the age of 71 years, 5 months, and 12 days after losing a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was the fourth of seven children born to Lloyd Samuel and Edith Mae Crispie Bartrem. Nancy attended school in Lenox, graduating in the class of 1952. She was united in marriage to Jack Rusco on December 31st, 1952 in Bedford, Iowa. Jack and Nancy spent the first 10 months of their marriage in California as Jack was in the United States Navy. Jack was discharged in September, 1953 and returned home. Three days later, Nancy gave birth to their first child Stephen in Omaha, Nebraska. They spent the next seven years living in Kansas City, KS where three more children, Michael, Robert, and Susan were born.

They moved to the Lenox area in 1960. Their children all attended and graduated from Lenox High school. In 1985 they moved to the Mills County area. For 8 years they lived in a cabin on the Missouri River. They then moved to rural Glenwood where they presently reside.

Nancy's special talents included cooking, canning, making beautiful Afghans, and shirt making. For several years, Nancy made many shirts for Jack and the boys and a few other people who were lucky enough to talk her into making one for them.

For the last 15 years, Nancy, Jack, and Bobby have been in business in Glenwood operating Cheers Lounge. Nancy dedicated most of her time seeing that Cheers ran smoothly and efficiently. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One great grandchild was very special to Nancy, as she cared for Lane Scott Rusco almost daily for the time his mother was stationed in the Persian Gulf.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband Jack, sons Stephen and wife Lorelei of Gravity, Iowa, Mike and wife Roxanne of Omaha, Nebraska, Robert of Glenwood, Iowa, daughter Susan and fiance Dan Vanderpool of Malvern, Iowa, sisters Betty Campbell and husband Bob of Lenox, Iowa, Melody Bartrem of Council Bluffs, Iowa, brothers Ron Bartrem of Omaha, Nebraska, Don Bartrem of Los Angeles, California, 10 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were both of her parents, Brother Melvin, and Sister Norleta Reed. Nancy had many friends and was dearly loved by Jack, her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. She will be forever missed.       

Memorials suggested to American Cancer Society. Peterson Mortuary, Glenwood, Iowa in charge of arrangements.

Nancy's family would like to thank everyone for their expressions of kindness during her illness. A special thanks to the doctors and surgeon for their efforts. Nancy waged a brave and courageous battle for the last 1 1/2 years against cancer.