Grace Ruth Rusteberg

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Grace Ruth Rusteberg, 89, formerly of Bensenville, Ill., and Sebring, Fla., passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 at her home in Greencastle.

Grace was born April 13, 1922 in Elmhurst, Ill., to Samuel and Isabelle Loomis.

She married Marvin A. Rusteberg of Bensenville, Ill., on Aug.17, 1940 at the Church of Our Savior in Elmhurst.

She owned and operated a trucking business, toy store and the village news agency in Bensenville with her husband until moving to Florida in 1974.

Grace was a strong community activist and organizer, and was instrumental in starting St. Bede's Episcopal Church in Bensenville in the 1950s.

She was active in the VFW during World War II and the Civil Air Patrol.

She was also a shortstop in the All-American Girls Baseball League during the war. She was a lifelong Republican and once considered for a run at a senatorial position.

She was a lifelong member of the Elks "Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does" and was an organist and golf enthusiast her entire life.

Grace was preceded in death by her son, Marvin W. Rusteberg; her husband, Marvin A. Rusteberg; and a granddaughter, Lara Vicars.

She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Vicars of Asbury Towers in Greencastle; her granddaughter, Bonnie Smith and husband, George Smith; and great-grandchildren Landon Smith, Hunter Smith, Grace Smith and Hector Lezama, all of Greencastle.

Services will be conducted at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Greencastle on Sunday, Nov. 6 with viewing at 3 p.m. and the funeral service at 4 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.