Josephine Rusert

Josephine (Jabs) Rusert, 92, passed away on March 19, 2024, at Heartland Senior Living in Truman. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. A time of visitation with family will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service.

Jo would greet her family daily with the verse “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it!”

Josephine Julia Jabs was born on Oct. 21, 1931, in Fairview, Alberta, Canada to Alex and Julia Jabs. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hines Creek, Alberta, Canada. She attended and graduated from Concordia College. It was at Concordia where she met a young Vicar Lyle Rusert and on Aug. 17, 1952. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church Silo, rural Lewiston.

They served various congregations in Iowa, Minnesota and Alberta, Canada. She was active in each congregation and loved being involved with the ministry of spreading the good news of Jesus. She was active as an election judge. Jo was also involved in the Legion Auxiliary, Ladies Aid and Bible Study. She also was very zealous for missions. She considered her five children her blessings and taught them Jesus Loves Me and her favorite hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” She was an excellent seamstress making outfits and baptismal gowns for many. She loved all children and especially holding babies. She was known for her delicious baking, especially making treats, for family holiday meals and her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Julia Jabs; husband, the Rev. Lyle Rusert in 2004; sisters, Dorothy and Lilly; and brothers, Ben and Henry.

Josephine is survived by her children, the Rev. Matthew (Terry) Rusert of South Branch, Laura (Kyle) Davison of Fargo, N.D., Angie (Tom) Lyng of Pella, Iowa, the Rev. Nathan (Lori) Rusert of Tell City, Ind., and Jennifer Rusert of Eagan; 13 grandchildren, Julia, Robyn, Lukas, Anna, Alex, Christopher, Benjamin, Emily, Kristin, Joshua, Timothy, Jonathan and Rebekah; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Emily Isley of Grande Prairie, Alberta; brother, Wille (Betty) Jabs of Grande Prairie, Alberta; and sister-in-law, Lorna (Oliver) Clemenson.

The family prefers memorials to the scholarship funds at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Truman or Martin Luther High School in Northrop.