Marilyn (Ruzicka) Lusche, 86, of Columbus, Nebraska, peacefully entered heaven on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 8 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, with Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.   There will be a family prayer service on Thursday at 10:15 AM at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Columbus Community Hospital Hospice program, or those of family or donor's choice.

Marilyn was born on May 26, 1937, in Rogers, Nebraska, to Joseph Ruzicka and Mayme (Karel) Ruzicka.   She graduated from Schuyler, Nebraska, high school and on June 9th, 1956, married Gayle Lusche at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek.  They lived in Omaha for five years and returned to rural Platte County, where they owned and operated the Lusche's Long Branch for several years. Marilyn then began a career at Nebraska Public Power District where she retired after over 25 years of service.

Marilyn was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek.  She was one of the first women of the congregation to become a council member and was on council for several years.  She also was a Sunday School Superintendent.  She lived for her children and was so proud to talk about her grandchildren and great- grandchildren.  She enjoyed playing cards with her friends as well as playing bingo and could bake a pretty mean kolache.

Marilyn is survived by:
Daughter Debbie (Bob) Ruth of Columbus
Son David (Olga) Lusche of Columbus.  Granddaughter Amy (Jose) Lara and great grandchildren, Isabella, Derek, Marcus, Joselyn, and Samantha
Son Daryl (Kim) Lusche of Alberta Canada. Granddaughters Sydney and Julia and Grandson Drew
Son Duane (Lorrie) Lusche of Columbus. Grandsons Conner (Demi) Lusche and Dustyn Lusche, and Granddaughter Paxton Lusche
Daughter Donna (Jerry) Jaixen of Columbus. Granddaughter Kendall (Hayden Holmberg) Knapp, Grandson Paul (Jade) Jaixen and great grandchildren Alayna and Emelia, Grandson Derek (Lexi Kucera) Knapp and great grandchild Harlow, and Granddaughter Julee Mae Jaixen.
Brother Doug (Chris) Ruzicka of Bennet, NE
Sister-in-laws Donna Jean Wood of Lincoln, NE and Willa Mae Janssen of Arvada, CO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, mother and father-in-law Alfred and Stella (Welch) Lusche, brother and sister-in-law Donald and Darlene Ruzicka, sister and brother-in-law LaVaine and Jack Collins, brothers-in-law Jack Wood and Norbert Janssen.