LeRoy "Lee" Blaine Rusche

     LeRoy “Lee” Blaine Rusche, 76, of Sturgeon Bay, crossed the veil from this life to eternal life while in the loving arms of his wife, Crystal, at home Monday afternoon, March 23, 2020.

     He was born December 18, 1943 in Sturgeon Bay, the youngest son of Harold Henry Rusche and Alice Maxine (Collins) Rusche. Lee attended Cherry School and graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1962. He went on to study business and computer programming at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and earned his bachelor’s degree.

     Lee served his country with the United States Coast Guard during Vietnam, entering into active duty in 1968 and during that year, was on the USCGC Chautauqua. He was stationed in Hawaii for three years and was a Commander with his platoon. Lee was honorably discharged from service with the Coast Guard on St. Patrick’s Day in 1972.

     He returned to Wisconsin and was initially employed as a computer programmer with the University of Wisconsin-Madison for four years. Lee moved home to Sturgeon Bay in 1976 and started a fruit and garden orchard on Cherry Road in the Town of Sevastopol. He continued that until just a few years ago. Lee’s parents started the Farmer’s Market in Sturgeon Bay in 1962 (on the land originally offered to the City of Sturgeon Bay by the Sampone family), and Lee helped run the market for over 40 years. He also provided scuba diving recovering work with his dad, helping find lost personal items. Lee married Crystal Kay (Hanlin) Bjarnarson on Christmas Eve in 1992 at the Wagon Trail Resort on Rowley’s Bay. They enjoyed “dancing around each other”, operating their Farmer’s Market stand. Their customers were friends and became part of the family and could always expect a laugh from the funny sayings on Lee’s shirts and singing from Crystal throughout the day. Lee also ran Door County Cooler just south of the City of Sturgeon Bay, in the Town of Nasewaupee near Schumacher Cemetery, which processed and made juice, during the 1980s and 1990s. Lee was the voice for their radio ads and face on their billboard. He helped run Cherryland’s Best market stand in Carlsville in the late 1990s. Lee drove for Door 2 Door Rides up until two years ago and gained a lot of friendships from that.

     He had a strong faith and love for the Lord. Lee grew up attending First Baptist Church in Sturgeon Bay and continued after he married Crystal. They were currently members of Friends Community in Sturgeon Bay. He loved his family and spending time with them, especially his children and grandchildren. Lee liked fishing, boating, and hunting. Lee also enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He loved spending times in his orchards and gardens. Lee had a great mind and was a hard worker.

     He will be deeply missed by his wife, with whom he shared and was blessed with over 27 years marriage; children, Joshua (partner, Chelsey Kostka) Bjarnarson of Sturgeon Bay, Michael (Nicole) Rusche of Fitchburg, Brandon (Summer) Bjarnarson of Oshkosh, Chelsea Bjarnarson of Howard, Matthew Rusche of Madison, and Hailey (fiancé, Cory Diltz) Rusche of Sister Bay; grandchildren, Lydia and Miles Rusche, Madelyn, Jeron, and Flynn Bjarnarson, and Todd and Tanya Bjarnarson; siblings, Conn (Susan) Rusche of Novato, CA, Barbara (Rod) of Minnesota, Beverly Stoil of Sun Prairie,  and Marjorie Rusche of South Bend, IN; siblings-in-law, Linda Hardin of Sturgeon Bay, Daniel (Margaret) Hanlin of Adams, Annette (Charles “Chuck”) Schmidt of Mountain Home, AR, Netta Hanlin of Washington Island, Abbie Hanlin of Gurnee, IL, and David (Barbara) Hanlin of Washington Island; other relatives; his beloved dog and buddy, Cooper; and many dear friends.

     Lee was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leslie Rusche; nephew, Phillip Rusche; parents-in-law, Effie and Richard “Dick” (Anderson) Hanlin; siblings-in-law, Patricia (Frank) Elliott, John Hanlin, and Don Hanlin; and other relatives.

     Arrangements are pending for Lee’s life to honored at a later date.

     Memorials may be given in Lee’s name for Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County; DOOR CANcer, Inc.; or Homes for Heroes, Inc.

     “Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at Door County Medical Center, Door CANcer, Inc., and the Milo C. Huempfner VA Clinic in Green Bay for all of your care and support through Lee’s illnesses. Thank you to Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County the wonderful help you provided to our family. And thank you to the staff of Unity Hospice, especially nurse, Gwen Wilke, for the compassionate care you gave to Lee and our family.”

     Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Rusche family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Lee may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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