Marcella Rusch, Menifee's oldest resident, dies at age 106

Marcella Rusch was joined by family, caretakers and Mayor Neil Winter on her 105th birthday in 2017. File photo

A memorial service will be held Jan. 25 for Menifee's oldest resident, Marcella Rusch, who died Dec. 20 at the age of 106.

Rusch would've turned 107 in March. She was featured in a Menifee 24/7 article celebrating her 105th birthday celebration in 2017, including a visit from Mayor Neil Winter. Rusch was living at the same board and care facility in the Sun City community when she passed away last month.

Born on March 26, 1912 in Watertown, South Dakota, Rusch was raised by a Bohemian father and German mother. (She is shown as a toddler at left). German was spoken in the family home until Marcella was 5 years old. During World War I, many Americans of German ancestry dropped their native tongue.

Rusch graduated from Watertown High School as an honor student at age 16. She earned a teaching certificate in college and taught periodically for most of her life, including teaching Sunday School for many years. She married Walter, who was a successful dairy cattle, hog, chicken, corn, oats and soybean farmer. They lived on a vacant farm during the Depression while Walter worked on his father's dairy farm. Eventually, the couple moved to Iowa to farm corn.

Their first child, Marilyn, and Marcella's cousin rode in the rumble seat of their Model T when they moved to Emmetsburg, Iowa. A few years later the couple bought a farm in Estherville, where they lived for over 31 years. Sons Roger and Morris were born in Iowa and grew up on the farm, where the family raised most of their own food.

Marcella and Walter were active in Republican politics. Marcella addressed the Iowa Republicans at a convention in the 1950s at a "men only" club in the Iowa Great Lakes region. She also was a columnist in local newspapers.

Walter and Marcella enjoyed dancing to the music of Lawrence Welk's Champagne Music Makers at local barn dances. After moving to California in 1971, they had the opportunity to meet Welk in Escondido and share memories of those dances in the Dakotas.

Marcella learned to golf when she moved to California and was proud of her Hole in One Trophy. She was still playing golf in her mid-90s.

Marcella visited all 50 states with her husband. She also traveled throughout the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Costa Rica and many parts of Europe. At nearly 95 years old, she startled her traveling companions on a trip to Greece when she waved at them from the top of the interior of a replica of the Trojan horse.

Marcella was widowed after 59 years of marriage. She spent many of her final years with her son Morris, who splits his time between Los Angeles and Menifee. Marcella was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in the Sun City community for 47 years. She served as present of the Women's Cub and Ladies' Golf Club.

Asked for tips on living a long life, Marcella said "Don't smoke" and get plenty of exercise. Her philosophy in life was to enjoy life, stay active and have a positive outlook.

Rusch is survived by sons Morris of Menifee and Roger of Palos Verdes; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. The public is invited to the memorial service at 11 a.m. Jan. 25 at Faith Lutheran Church, 28200 Portsmouth Drive in Menifee.

Here's a video of our visit with Marcella on her 105th birthday in 2017: