Irma Rose Bertha Rusch
Irma was born
to Josef Anton and Anna Maria Rusch on October 16, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois
and was the first Rusch to be born in in the United States.
She was grew up on a small farm in Alsip, IL and was the oldest of three daughters born to Anton and Anna Maria Rusch. She also had an older half-brother William.
She was grew up on a small farm in Alsip, IL and was the oldest of three daughters born to Anton and Anna Maria Rusch. She also had an older half-brother William.
Rural Life & Some Growing Pains
Irma told her children many stories about living in, what
was then considered, “the country.” She played with her sisters, and
occasionally a much older brother, but life on the farm for her was rather
boring and often involved working in the fields pulling weeds. The work was hot
and tedious and after that part of her life, she never enjoyed working
outdoors, wasn’t crazy about the heat, or the suntan she ended up with.
As a child, Irma walked to elementary school with her sisters and friends, which was several miles away. She attended Sunday School at a local Dutch church with her sisters and her friend “Dot” Nelson, who ended up being a lifelong friend to Irma.
Above: Irma's Elementary School Photo. She is seated in the front row all the way on the right-hand side. Irma was always very self-conscious during her childhood school days, and never did like this photo because she felt like she did not fit in with the other children. For example, pay close attention to her hair and clothing. She is the only girl with long, braided hair. She is the only one with a plaid dress. Many of the other girls have straps on their shoes, but Irma does not.
All Grown Up
As a teen, Irma attended and graduated from Dwight D Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, IL. During those years in high school, she met her future husband Charles Otto Becker.
Charles and Irma dated for a few years, and then World War II began. At that time, many young people got married because their sweethearts were going off to war, and they weren’t sure they would ever see them again. Irma and Charlie married on November 24, 1943 when Charlie was on leave. They had both just turned 20 years old. Charlie left for Seattle Washington where he was stationed after a brief honeymoon period. Irma moved to Seattle a few months later. The young couple rented a room from a family and Irma worked at a bank while Charlie was on a ship in the Pacific. |
Returning to the Midwest, Life After War
Making Palos Heights A New Home
Charles and Irma built a house at 12133 76th Avenue in Palos Heights, IL and moved into it on Halloween in 1952. They lived there until 1969 when they purchased a house around the corner at 12043 Harold Ave in Palos Heights, IL. They purchased that home from their friend and co-owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken stores, Marjorie Cisna. They lived there for the remainder of their lives.
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Raising Children and taking care of Family
Irma was a stay at home mother and took care of all the family needs, as it was the way of the times. Her children recall, “It was always nice to have mom at home waiting for us after school with a cheerful hello, and a home cooked meal.” Irma spent her days doing all the things mothers do: laundry, grocery shopping, chores around the house, and meal preparation were just some of her responsibilities. She also spent time every week, visiting her mother, Anna Maria, in Blue Island, IL. She took her shopping and out to lunch on a regular basis. Later, she would then take care of her father shopping at the grocery store, pay his bills, and make sure he had a trip out to a local restaurant.
She also kept busy with a part time job at a gift shop, volunteering at the Community Center which had an antique shop, and participating in the Palos Park Women’s Club. |
Strong Values Earn Gratitude From Kin
Because of Irma, all of her children went on to receive a college education. She was determined that they would all have an opportunity to go to college, and thereby have a means to support themselves—and she never wavered on this idea.
At the time, this was unprecedented in our family as we really were the first to go to and finish college. She suggested that her daughter become a teacher, and that is the path she followed. Her daughter, Susan, always told her that she appreciated her idea, and that Irma encouraged all the children to further their education.
Irma also made sure her kids took piano lessons and belonged to organizations such as Scouts to help create a rounded and pleasant childhood. |
Charlie and Irma’s passion for travel extended into the family. This included taking the family on a couple of extensive trips. One was to see the sights of the East Coast, in which the family toured Washington DC, New York, Williamsburg, and the Atlantic Ocean over a two week period. Another trip was three weeks long and included Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Tetons, Bryce Canyon, Zion Park, Disneyland, the Pacific Ocean, and other stops along the way. Other years, Irma made sure the family took a vacation to a cottage in Wisconsin, or to camp in Indiana or Michigan.
Overall, Irma worked hard for her family, including her sister Irene. Irma took Irene in and cared for her after Irene had been diagnosed with cancer. Irma made sure she spent her last days as comfortable as possible.
Overall, Irma worked hard for her family, including her sister Irene. Irma took Irene in and cared for her after Irene had been diagnosed with cancer. Irma made sure she spent her last days as comfortable as possible.
Empty Nesting, Globe Trotting & the Golden Years
As her children grew up and moved out of the house, she spent time played cards—Bridge in particular, and enjoyed participating in women’s gatherings, golfing, bowling, and other activities.
One of Irma and Charlie’s biggest hobbies was travel. They started traveling in their early 40’s and continued on until they reached just about 80 years old. They visited Europe as many as 8 times to visit: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, England, Sweden, Morroco, and Spain. They also visited Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. They flew to China to see Beijing (the Great Wall), Shanghai, and Hong Kong. They even stopped in Iceland and traveled through Canada many times by train and driving it themselves. |
But, the mostly visited places in the United States. They visited Hawaii several times, took an Alaskan cruise and cruised the Carribean Islands. They traveled all over the East Coast, covering most of the states more than once, and travelled to the west to see California, Arizona, Nevada, and many more destinations. They likely covered almost all of the 50 States.
Charles and Irma were always planning their next trip—which were often coordinated with a group of friends from church. They truly loved seeing what the world had to offer.
Charles and Irma were always planning their next trip—which were often coordinated with a group of friends from church. They truly loved seeing what the world had to offer.
Becker Family Photo
Later in life, Irma was a loving grandmother and genuinely loved being with her grandchildren.
Interestingly enough, Irma’s grandchildren from her daughter grew up in the very same house Charlie and Irma built in Palos Heights, IL. Because these grandchildren grew up down the street from Charlie and Irma, the grandkids had a unique opportunity to spend a great deal of time with their grandparents. Irma had 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren when she left this earth. She is buried at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Alsip, IL. |
Interesting Medical Fact
Irma was a carrier of a genetic blood disease, spherocytosis, which is an auto-hemolytic anemia characterized by the production red blood cells that are sphere-shaped, rather than disk shaped. This blood disease caused her some health issues. To correct her issues of jaundice and extreme anemia, she had her gall-bladder removed in the 1950’s. This genetic blood disease has followed the family through five known generations and is considered a form of hereditary spehrocytosis. The genetic disease dates back to Irma's mother, Anna Maria Bauer, then on to Irma Rusch (Becker), on to her daughter Susan Jankowski (Becker), on to her granddaughter Elizabeth Guitierrez and then on to her great-granddaughter Ruby Gutierrez. To date (2014) Irma, Susan, and Elizabeth have each needed to have their gall-bladder removed due to the effects of spherocytosis.