Dorothy L. Rusk Larsen, 96, with her daughters at her side, passed away early Saturday morning May 31, 2025, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul following a brief illness. She had been surrounded by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren during the last few days of her life.
Dorothy was born in Joel, Wisconsin, on Sept. 11, 1928, the daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Miner) Berry. She attended elementary school in and around that area and attended high school in Amery. She was united in marriage to Dale J. Rusk on March 21, 1946. They were the proud parents of four children (Crystal, Charlaine, Thomas, and Shelley). In 1961, they moved to the North Valley area just west of Milltown, Wisconsin. Dale and “Dottie” (Dale’s nickname for her) celebrated 35 years of marriage together before Dale passed away in September of 1981.
Dorothy loved her role as a mother and homemaker. She was a wonderful hostess, cook, and baker––and there was always room for “one more” at the family table. She was known for her marvelous homemade brownies and, upon entering her house––right after warm hugs and kisses, visitors were greeted with “the coffee is on.” All her children remember waking up in the morning to the heat of the wood stove, the smell of coffee and cocoa drifting through the house, and Mama signing along with the radio––sometimes a hymn, and sometimes the latest country music song. She spent weeks each year canning her homemade jellies, jams, and vegetables––all of which she grew in her garden. After her children were grown, and Dale had passed, she also worked for Polk County in the Social Services Department.
On Oct. 8, 1988, Dorothy was joined in marriage to Howard E. Larsen. Howard, who had no children of his own, embraced Dorothy’s children and grandchildren as if they were his own, and the house overflowed with people, joy, and laughter on holidays and throughout the year. Howard passed away in June of 2002. Dorothy was very independent and self-sufficient and lived on her own in her house on State Road 35 in Centuria, Wisconsin, until just before her passing.
Her spiritual life was very important to her, and she was an active member of Holy Trinity Methodist Church (formerly United Methodist Church) for 64 years. She taught Sunday school for many years, was a lay minister, contributed to every bake sale, served luncheons, led Bible studies, made church banners, served on committees, and lent a helping hand to dozens of other church projects and tasks.
In her free time, Dorothy enjoyed gardening, talking to her loved ones on the phone, studying the Bible, and writing. She was a prolific writer and wrote numerous heartwarming stories about her life as a child, as a mother, as a grandmother, and about nature. It was very important to Dorothy that all her loved ones were remembered on special days and throughout the year. She sent hundreds of cards to her family and friends, each one graced with messages penned in her beautiful, distinctive handwriting.
Dorothy is lovingly remembered and deeply missed. She leaves to celebrate her memory, her children: Crystal Kruse (Jim Scherr), Thomas (Kay) Rusk, and Shelley (Randolph) Hansen; her 10 grandchildren: Dottie Woodruff, Jason Kruse, Tara (Ovi Vargas) Kruse, Paula (Ronn) Voss, Rick (Cara) Van Gundy, Tommy Rusk , Timmy Rusk, Tony (Michelle) Rusk, Randi (Kristofer Skinner) Hansen, and Travis (Kathryn) Hansen; 15 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; her husband, Howard; her daughter, Charlaine “Cheri” Van Gundy; her siblings, Everett, Joe, Beatrice, Bernice, Mardell, Gloria, and Tom; and several half-brothers and half-sisters.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 3 p.m. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by lunch in the church fellowship hall.
The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.
