RUSLEY, Marvin P. 1918-2008

RUSLEY

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 12/31/2008 at 11:36:10

MANLY, IOWA - Marvin Phillip Rusley, 90, of Iowa Falls and formerly of Manly, Worth county, iowa, died on Saturday (Dec. 27, 2008) at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2009, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 428 W. Walnut, Manly, with the Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 122 West, Mason City, with military graveside honors conducted by members of the Edward-Tosel American Legion Post No. 110 of Manly.

Marvin Phillip Rusley was born on September 16, 1918, the son of Theodore Alfred and Frances (Perkins) Rusley. Marvin received his education in the Lake Mills Community Schools, graduating from Lake Mills High School in 1935. Marvin also earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1939 from the University of Iowa.

He was united in marriage to Geneva Rebecca Searl on Jan. 4, 1941, in Kahoka, Mo.; she preceded him in death in October 1973.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 15, 1943, and served his country honorably during World War II until his honorable discharge as a sergeant on Nov. 16, 1945.

After his honorable discharge, Marvin pursued his law degree from the University of Iowa and graduated from law school in 1947. After earning his law degree, he began his law practice in Manly in 1947 and continued to practice law in Manly until his retirement in 1994.

He was united in marriage to Myrtle Glassel in May of 1976; she preceded him in death in 2004.

Marvin was instrumental in bringing the Pioneer Town and Country Club to Manly and was also the mayor of Manly in the 1950s and 1960s.

Marvin enjoyed fishing, golfing and hunting, and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football fan, but his greatest love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren.

He was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly, Edward-Tosel American Legion Post No.110 of Manly, Pioneer Town & Country Club in Manly, Grand Lodge of Iowa Masons, Jaycees and the Iowa Bar Association.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Marjean Jensen, of Hampton, and her husband, Michael, of Jupiter, Fla., Philip (Cheryl) Rusley, of Iowa Falls; grandchildren, Michelle (James) Longhini, of Fort Meade, Fla., Mark A. (Karen) Jensen, of Jupiter, Fla., Michael P. (Lee) Jensen of Barrington, R.I., Eric W. (Jennifer) Rusley of Las Vegas, Nev., Janean (Fran) Dicari, of Loveland, Ohio, Jason T. (Melissa) Rusley of Kansas City, Mo.; three step-grandchildren, Brock (Alli) Johnson of West Des Moines, Kelly (Chad) Friesleben of Urbandale and Stacy (Chad) Terrill of Ocheyedan; 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Elaine Swails, of Iowa City; as well as other extended family members and friends.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Geneva and Myrtle; a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Grace Jensen; and a brother, Dean Rusley.

Arrangements are with the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly; phone: 641-454-2242; www.colonialchapels.com

[Original obituary published online in the Mason City Globe Gazette - 12/31/2008 - www.globegazette.com ]