Josephine Rush

Josephine “Jo” Edna Rush, 92, of Mapleton and formerly of Casa Grande, Arizona, passed away March 12, 2023 at the Mapleton Community Home and entered into her eternal heavenly home with Jesus her Savior.

A Celebration of Life and interment will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder, Minnesota or donor’s choice. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

Jo was born March 19, 1930 to Leona (Howarth) Zimmerman and Howard King in Toledo, Ohio. She later had a stepfather, John Harruff.

Jo was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio.

Jo and her parents moved to Casa Grande, Arizona when she was a teenager. This is where she met Royal Rush at a church function.  He and his cousin had moved to Arizona from Greensburg, Ohio.

Jo and Royal married on August 27, 1949 at Grace Lutheran Church in Casa Grande, Arizona. Together, they had one son, Raymond.

Jo was a homemaker and got involved at the church in Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, and teaching Sunday School. She was employed at the school as a cook’s helper and later at the Casa Grande Dispatch for 17 years in the mailing department.

After retiring, Jo and Royal summered in Overgaard, Arizona at a resort park and enjoyed activities and fishing in the area. They also traveled to Ohio and Minnesota to see family and friends.

Jo recently moved to Mapleton Heritage Place after Royal passed away on October 15, 2021 so she could be near her son and family. They had been married for 72 years.

Jo is survived by her son, Raymond (Beth) of Good Thunder, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Jeremy (special friend, Elizabeth Jensen) of Truman, Minnesota, Nathan (Stephanie) of Spokane, Washington and their daughters, Anna, Kario, and Grace, Matthew, (Christy) of North Mankato and their son, Hunter, and Rebekah (Marcus) Tabbert of Owatonna and baby due in 2023; and many nieces and nephews.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Madelyn; and brother, Robert.