Rose Catherine Russick's Obituary
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Rose Catherine Russick, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2005. At her side were her loving husband and her children who blessed her, celebrated her life, laughed and cried, and sang songs to her that they had sung with her on long car rides and around campfires as they were growing up. Born Rose Catherine Rauchwarter, of Austrian immigrant parents on June 30, 1926, grew up in Ottawa, Illinois. She married Frank Russick on August 9, 1947 after he returned from World War II in the South Pacific. Her family, living first in Chicago, IL then Gary, IN, Muskegon, MI, Youngstown, OH, San Clemente, CA and finally back to Muskegon, grew to eleven children, thirty four grand children, and by May 2006, eight great grand children. Rose was loved by all who met her. For instance, in San Clemente, where she and Frank ran a family restaurant named Alex’s German-American Restaurant on El Camino Real for 25 years, she mothered many lonely Marines from Camp Pendleton, the local military base, who came in mainly to see her rather than for the excellent fare offered there. Rose loved reading, singing and loved everything that had to do with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rose and her husband loved to travel. They covered much of North America in their motor home including Alaska and also toured Europe. In her declining years, Rose was afflicted by ailments that eventually claimed her body, but her indomitable spirit, great open heart and love for and faith in God triumphed in her transformation from matter into spirit. Though now she is caressed by the Infinite, the loving arms of God, she is greatly missed by her friends, her husband Frank and by her family, who are the following: Cathy Giguere of Grand Rapids, MI and her two sons Nick and Andrew; Larry Russick of Connecticut, wife Helen, sons Patrick and Brian and daughter Madeleine; Bernard Russick of Colorado, his son Josh and family, son Mike and daughter Jen; Charlene Beckmann of Muskegon, MI her husband Dave, daughters Melanie and Colleen and their families and son Ben; Gregory Russick of Muskegon, MI, his wife Penny and sons Aaron and Zachary and their families and Matthew, Franciscan Brother TOR; Diane Russick of Muskegon, MI and her sons, Eric, Lance Corporal Alan Rodriguez (serving in the U.S. Marines – currently stationed in the Hurricane suffering region of the Gulf Coast), Gabrielle, Dorian and Rene; Annette Welsh of San Diego, CA and her husband Bill and daughter Stephanie, daughter Jamie and family, and sons Bill Jr, Kevin and Tim; Major Christopher Russick (USAF, Retired) of Peoria, IL, wife Dianna and daughter Frankie and son Joe; Philip Russick of Discovery Bay, CA, wife Jeanne, sons Dane and Chad and daughters Tori and Kayla; Andy Russick of Elk Grove, CA, wife Kathy and daughters Chloe and Jana; Maureen Lee of Redondo Beach, CA and sons Ryan and Tyler. VISITATION is being held at The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 1547 West Sherman, (231) 759-8565, on Friday, September 9, 2005 from 3:00-6:00 PM. THE FUNERAL MASS will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 451 S. Getty Street, Muskegon, Michigan on Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Fr. Michael P. Olson presiding. A Memorial Fund is being set up in the name of Rose Russick. Contributions can be mailed to the attention of Zachary Russick, PO Box 345, Pentwater, Michigan 49449.
“Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.”
1st Corinthians 13:13
What’s your fondest memory of Rose Catherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rose Catherine?
Share a story where Rose Catherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rose Catherine you’ll never forget.
How did Rose Catherine make you smile?