Lawrence Rusk, age 96, of Storm Lake, Iowa formerly of Linn Grove, Iowa died Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Linn Grove. Burial will follow in the Barnes Township Cemetery in Linn Grove. Visitation will take place Friday, April 24, 2015 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence Bruce Rusk, the son of Homer and Vira (King) Rusk, was born in Dickens, Iowa on July 14, 1918. He lived his youth in the Dickens vicinity, and Lawrence was a graduate of Dickens High School. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University in Ames for two years.

Lawrence was united in marriage to Dorothy M. Clapp on September 21, 1939, at her parent’s home in Linn Grove. Lawrence and Dorothy were blessed with four children: John Francis, Janet Kay, Linda Ann, and Bruce Arthur. For 41 years, Lawrence and Dorothy devoted themselves to farming near Linn Grove which was the lifelong passion of Lawrence’s heart. They moved into the town of Linn Grove in 1985 and resided there until coming to make their home at Otsego Place in Storm Lake in February of 2008. Dorothy died on April 19, 2008. Lawrence continued to live at Otsego until transferring to the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in January of 2015.

Lawrence was a member of the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Linn Grove. He served His Lord by serving on various boards and in several offices within the Riverside Church. Lawrence was also community minded and served on the local school board, the county school board, and the Coop Elevator Board. Lawrence loved his family very dearly and enjoyed following the sporting and school activities of his children and grandchildren.

Lawrence’s life will always be honored, loved, and cherished by his family which include his children: John Rusk of Frederick, Maryland; Janet (Carris) Osborn and her husband, Dr. Thomas Osborn of Cincinnati, Ohio; Linda Sams of Nevada, Iowa; and Bruce Rusk and his wife, Eve of Linn Grove, Iowa; 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law: Lucy Rusk of Dickens, Iowa and Betty Clapp of Storm Lake, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; daughter-in-law, Sara Rusk; son-in-law, C. Timothy Carris; granddaughter, Michelle McNeill Gaudreau; sisters, Francis and Vina; and brothers, Kenneth and Clayton.