In Memory of Theonne M. Rusch-Kolls

Theonne M. Rusch-Kolls, age 84, of Denison, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital of Denison, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Denison, Iowa. Pastor Chad Trunkhill will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Morgan Township Cemetery of Schleswig, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Denison, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Theonne Marlene Rusch-Kolls, the daughter of Wesley and Helen (Hammer) Husted, was born on August 24, 1939, in Ida County, Iowa. Theonne was baptized into her faith September 1939 at the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton, Iowa and confirmed on May 24, 1953, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. She grew up in Battle Creek and attended Battle Creek High School graduating with the class of 1958. 

On July 10, 1958, Theonne was united in marriage to Merlin “Mert” Rusch at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek. The couple was blessed with three children: Jean Ann, Ross, and Raquel. The family made their home in Denison, Iowa, where Theonne was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and active in their Evening Guild. The couple loved to be outdoors. They enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening and canning as well as dancing. Merlin passed away in January of 1988.

In February of 1990, Theonne married LeRoy Kolls. The couple made their home in California and Theonne welcomed stepdaughters Kathy and Karen into her family. After LeRoy passed in 2006, Theonne returned back to Denison to be closer to her family due to her declining health. Theonne joined the Our Savior Lutheran Church where she was still a current member. 

Theonne loved to socialize with her family and friends. In her free time, she enjoyed reading romance novels or Westerns, playing cards, and listening to music. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. 

Left to cherish her memory include her children Ross (Debbie) Rusch of Dow City, IA and Raquel Mumm of Denison, IA; grandchildren Aaron Mumm, Krystal (Denny) Galles, Shawn (Chelsea) Gaul, and Cody (Mia) Gaul; stepdaughters Kathy (Chris) McIntire and Karen Perkins both of California; step grandchildren Kasha, Kirsten, Paige, and Shayne; eight great-grandchildren; sister Rhonda (Chester) Lee of Battle Creek, IA; brother-in-law Duane Wunschel of Wall Lake, IA; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Wesley and Helen Husted; husbands Merlin “Mert” Rusch and LeRoy Kolls; daughter Jean Ann in infancy; and sister Sharon Husted.