1918
Clara
2016
Clara Rush
December 25, 1918 — September 16, 2016
Clara A. Rush, beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend died at the age of 97 on Friday afternoon September 16, 2016 at her residence.
She was born on December 25, 1918 in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Gilbert and Anna Johnson, the third of six children.
Clara graduated from Alborn High School. After high school and during World War II, Clara and a good friend decided to move to California to join other women who wanted to work and take over the positions of the men who were fighting in the war. She became a true “Rosie the Riveter” as a spot welder for Douglas Aircraft in Palm Springs, California.
Clara met Ervin Rush during this time and they were married on June 7, 1943. They moved from California to Minnesota where she became a mother while her husband was stationed in the Philippines. After the war they moved to Arkansas for a short time before moving to the Kansas City area in 1950 as a family of four.
Clara was the secretary and President of the Credit Union of Benson Manufacturing from 1951-1968 until the time of the business’ closing. She then was the HR Manager for Tempmaster until she retired at the age of 72. Retirement allowed them to then travel around the country to visit family and friends.
Clara really enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. She loved flowers especially tulips and always had a beautiful display at the side of her house. She loved gardening and doing anything that required her to be outdoors. Her preference of natural remedies and going on walks every day for exercise were just a couple of the ways she kept herself healthy for so many years. She truly lived a full life of adventure and was always a hard worker. She had a kind, quiet and compassionate demeanor but was not afraid to speak her mind. Clara was a selfless and giving woman who supported her church, the veterans, and many, many other charities but was very humble in doing so. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of North Kansas City.
Clara loved her family. She was always a loyal sister and friend. Clara could be found playing on the floor with her granddaughters and then many years later with her many great grandchildren. She always listened intently and patiently with her kind eyes wide open and shared sincerely in your excitement. She loved to have her family together where she would delight everyone with her delicious carrot cake. Christmas Day was also her birthday which made for an extra special holiday celebration each year.
Clara is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ervin Rush, three sisters; Lillian Kingrey, Gilma LaMourea, and Alice Sindelar and two brothers; Einar Johnson and Arthur Johnson.
Clara is survived by two sons; Dennis Rush and wife Linda (Liberty, MO) and Gary Rush and wife Linda (Climax Springs, MO) five granddaughters; Hollie Steingrubey and husband Matt (Osage Beach, MO) Jennifer Douglas and husband Scott (Colleyville, TX) Lori Haney and husband Mike (Kansas City, MO) Lisa Lucas and husband Luke (Shawnee, KS) and Lesley Rush (Portland, OR) and ten great grandchildren Madison and Allie Steingrubey, Hope Douglas, Alex, Corey, Trevor, Brayden, and Gavin Haney, Lily and Landry Lucas. As well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Clara truly wore many hats throughout her life and will be greatly missed by so many. She was wise beyond her years and loved to get a good laugh- she was still pulling pranks at the age of 97! She loved unconditionally and could brighten any day with her big smile and sweet, sincere voice. Many hearts are broken without her here but her legacy lives on.
Services will be held Saturday, September 24 at Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery 801 N.W. 108th St. Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be 2:00-3:00pm with Funeral Services following at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to Liberty Hospital Hospice in honor of Clara.
She was born on December 25, 1918 in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Gilbert and Anna Johnson, the third of six children.
Clara graduated from Alborn High School. After high school and during World War II, Clara and a good friend decided to move to California to join other women who wanted to work and take over the positions of the men who were fighting in the war. She became a true “Rosie the Riveter” as a spot welder for Douglas Aircraft in Palm Springs, California.
Clara met Ervin Rush during this time and they were married on June 7, 1943. They moved from California to Minnesota where she became a mother while her husband was stationed in the Philippines. After the war they moved to Arkansas for a short time before moving to the Kansas City area in 1950 as a family of four.
Clara was the secretary and President of the Credit Union of Benson Manufacturing from 1951-1968 until the time of the business’ closing. She then was the HR Manager for Tempmaster until she retired at the age of 72. Retirement allowed them to then travel around the country to visit family and friends.
Clara really enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. She loved flowers especially tulips and always had a beautiful display at the side of her house. She loved gardening and doing anything that required her to be outdoors. Her preference of natural remedies and going on walks every day for exercise were just a couple of the ways she kept herself healthy for so many years. She truly lived a full life of adventure and was always a hard worker. She had a kind, quiet and compassionate demeanor but was not afraid to speak her mind. Clara was a selfless and giving woman who supported her church, the veterans, and many, many other charities but was very humble in doing so. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of North Kansas City.
Clara loved her family. She was always a loyal sister and friend. Clara could be found playing on the floor with her granddaughters and then many years later with her many great grandchildren. She always listened intently and patiently with her kind eyes wide open and shared sincerely in your excitement. She loved to have her family together where she would delight everyone with her delicious carrot cake. Christmas Day was also her birthday which made for an extra special holiday celebration each year.
Clara is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ervin Rush, three sisters; Lillian Kingrey, Gilma LaMourea, and Alice Sindelar and two brothers; Einar Johnson and Arthur Johnson.
Clara is survived by two sons; Dennis Rush and wife Linda (Liberty, MO) and Gary Rush and wife Linda (Climax Springs, MO) five granddaughters; Hollie Steingrubey and husband Matt (Osage Beach, MO) Jennifer Douglas and husband Scott (Colleyville, TX) Lori Haney and husband Mike (Kansas City, MO) Lisa Lucas and husband Luke (Shawnee, KS) and Lesley Rush (Portland, OR) and ten great grandchildren Madison and Allie Steingrubey, Hope Douglas, Alex, Corey, Trevor, Brayden, and Gavin Haney, Lily and Landry Lucas. As well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Clara truly wore many hats throughout her life and will be greatly missed by so many. She was wise beyond her years and loved to get a good laugh- she was still pulling pranks at the age of 97! She loved unconditionally and could brighten any day with her big smile and sweet, sincere voice. Many hearts are broken without her here but her legacy lives on.
Services will be held Saturday, September 24 at Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery 801 N.W. 108th St. Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be 2:00-3:00pm with Funeral Services following at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to Liberty Hospital Hospice in honor of Clara.
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