Karen Ann Rusher

Former Bainbridge Island resident Karen Ann Rusher, 60, died Feb. 4 in Puyallup.

She was born June 5, 1945, in Omaha, Neb., to Pete and Geneva Bevans. After graduating from Benson High School in Omaha, she moved to Alaska to work for the Forest Service and there met her husband, Robert C. Rusher.

Robert’s job with an airline took them to Federal Way, Wash., then to Cannon Falls, Minn., where they tried their hand at farming and raising horses. After a brief period in Utah, they lived on Bainbridge Island from 1983 to 1993, where their children graduated from high school.

They later settled in Buckley, Wash., where Karen volunteered in community services. She served as director at the Buckley Food Bank for a number of years and was active in Kiwanis and the Ida Marge Guild of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. She enjoyed traveling, bowling and spending time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband and brother.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara, son Robert (Jenn) and grandson Jack.

Viewing was on Feb. 8 at Week’s Funeral Home in Buckley. A memorial service was held on Feb. 9 at the Community Presbyterian Church of Buckley. A celebration of life was held on Feb. 10 at the Buckley Eagles Hall. Interment will be Feb. 12 at Agency Cemetery in Agency, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the Buckley Food Bank, P.O. Box 29, Buckley, WA 98321. An online guest book is at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.