Rushka –
Audrey Lucille Rushka of Brooks, beloved wife of Art Rushka of Brooks, passed away in Brooks on Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 at the age of 80 years. She was born June 25, 1938 to Mary and James Lawrence at Lady Lake, Sask. living most of her early years in Sturgis with a race track behind their home, Audrey discovered her love of horses, and soon was exercising Leo’s thoroughbred ponies. At the Sturgis rodeo in 1954 a young looking jockey and steer rider caught her eye. Audrey would become Art’s bride on June 25, 1957. She felt lucky to have two girls and two boys. With Art in the oil patch they lived in a 35’ trailer and were on the move from Mile 101 Alaska HWY B.C. they made several moves until 1964 they would settle in Brooks. Mom loved all kinds of sports and with Jean Lutes they together started the Brooks Figure skating Club. Teaching skating, came with putting on Carnivals, making costumes, cutting music (literally you had to cut the tape, splice it and hope it was in the right place). With her children in figure skating and hockey she was at the rink full time, never missing any of her kid’s events. To add to her already busy time at the rink, she arranged skaters to be flag barriers for the Brooks Tubers (Jr. B) Hockey Team, becoming the Team mom, mending and washing the team’s jerseys. The Tubers became the Lakeside Spurs in the fall of 1967 and she continued as Team Mom. She was a pitcher for a ladies fast ball team, a member of the Brooks Oilwives. She worked at the Brooks Drycleaners with Connie and Bea. In 1967 they moved to the acreage just NW of Brooks; now they would plant a huge garden each spring, an abundance of produce, was shared with so many, picking raspberries and apples (raspberry jam and fresh apple pies-yum!). Chickens were plenty and mom and Lonny would butcher (yikes!). Enjoyed trips to Vegas and Pahrump Nevada at the Casino mom loved her keno. Ford Creek, Little Bow where they liked to camp and trail ride with friends taking Jeffery along as he enjoyed going. To Alaska in 1986 with friends they traveled; Annual trips to St. Eugene were a nice time, to break up the regular routine. Bow River Riders 4-H, she shared with Nicole, always a part of Regionals in Claresholm. She will be forever in the hearts of her husband Art, and her children Carrie (Dean) Nielsen, Trena (Larry) Ramsay, Lonny and Trevor Rushka; her grandchildren Jerod (Kim) Nielsen, Jonathan Nielsen, Jill Nielsen, Nicole (Danny) Olson, Leighton (Taryn) Ramsay, Derek Rushka, Amy Rushka, Ian Rushka; great-grandchildren, Dawson Bramall-Graham, Kalli and Hayes Nielsen, Deven and Brooklyn Dragon-Nielsen, Jordynn and Clara Olson, Bianca, Parks and Wynter Ramsay, Blayce Rushka, and Brixel Rushka; her sister Valerie Armstrong. Audrey was predeceased by her grandson Jeffery Nielsen; her father and mother James and Mayme Lawrence; her sister Dale Armstrong and a brother Adrian Lawerence. Prayer Services will be held on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 PM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante officiating. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 20th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante Celebrant. In memory of Audrey, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Brooks and District Health Foundation for Long Term Care, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
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