Donald H. Rusche, 49, of Baileyville, KS, died late Friday, April 6, 2001, shortly after arrival at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.

He was born in Axtell, KS, on November 8, 1951, the son of Ben F. and Eileen D. Koch Rusche. He grew up on the family farm northeast of Baileyville and graduated from B&B High School in Baileyville in 1970. He worked for the Nemaha County Co-op at Seneca and at Baileyville, where he worked at the Co-op Elevator until 1986. He worked for the Hamm Quarries of Perry, KS at several locations in Kansas as a truck driver and a rock crusher operator until November of 2000, when he had a heart attack. Don also raised cattle.

On July 20, 1974, he married Joyce Nolte at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived on the family farm northeast of Baileyville. She survives of the home.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church in Baileyville.

Survivors besides his wife are four sons, Dale and Brian Rusche, both of Baileyville, Michael Rusche of Lawrence, and Robert Rusche of the home; and a daughter, Amy Rusche of the home.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Rusche on February 24, 1982, and his father, Ben Rusche on December 23, 1996.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM Tuesday, April 10, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Heart Association or for Sacred Heart Church, and sent in care of the family.