Donald Rus, 73, of Pella, passed away Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at his residence. Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 29, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Pella. Interment followed in the Pella Oakwood Cemetery with military rites. The family prefers memorial contributions for the Luke Society or Mission India.
Donald Rus, the fifth of seven children born to Henry Aaron and Johanna Marie (Kruseman) Rus, was born Nov. 14, 1942, in Oskaloosa. Don attended Pella Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Christian High School with the Class of 1961. Following high school, Don attended American Institute of Business in Des Moines, which prepared him for a career in business. Don enlisted in the United States Army in January 1964 during the Vietnam War era and served his country honorably until his discharge in October 1966.
Don was united in marriage to Linda Jean Zylstra on Oct. 2, 1964, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church. To this union four children were born. Don was self-employed in the petroleum business for 30 years. Following his retirement, he drove semi-trucks part-time for Pella Corporation and then Vander Haag's, Inc. He especially enjoyed the challenge of long-distance routes.
In April 2015, Don suffered a heart attack which ended his working career and eventually led to seven subsequent surgeries. Through it all, Don remained positive and appreciative.
Don is survived by his wife, Linda Rus; their four children: Brenda (Tim) Nikkel of Prairie City, Amy (John) Vander Haag of Sanborn, Stephanie Rus-Strait and Eli Strait of San Diego, CA, and Jeffrey (Wendy) Rus of Urbandale; 11 grandchildren; and his siblings: Dorothy (John) Van Gorp, Wilma Ryken, John (Frankie) Rus, all of Pella, Jeri Jansen of Sully, and Marvin (Carol) Rus of Pella; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Harriet Zylstra, Quintin (Alice) Zylstra, Arnold Gritters, all of Pella, Carla Zylstra of Sully, Joey Bandstra of Pella, Bertha (James) Talsma of Colfax, Revena Gritters of Pella, Rolland "Duke" Zylstra of Sully, and Arthur (Verna) Zylstra of Pella.
Those who have preceded Don to heaven are his parents; his sister, Nancy E. Gritters; his brothers-in-law: Arnold "Arnie" Ryken and Cornie Jansen; his parents-in-law, Rienk and Johanna Zylstra; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Rev. Martin and Carol Zylstra, Ludolph and Joann Zylstra, Ivan and Evelyn Zylstra, Robert Zylstra, Seymour "Zeke" Zylstra, Pat Zylstra, John Bandstra, and Frank Gritters.
Don was baptized and made profession of faith at First Christian Reformed Church and was a member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed playing cards at Pella Golf and Country Club and loved good food and coffee times with his many friends. He had a quick sense of humor, an acceptance for all people, and an abiding love for God and his family.
