Wilma Blanche (Maile) Rushing passed away at Mercy West Hospital on Thursday, February 2, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 3:00- 5:00pm at Merle Hay Funeral Home. Her life will be celebrated in a private family service following visitation with burial at a later date.
She was the eighth child born to Charles and Cynthia (Blanche) Garnett Maile on November 11, 1936, in Seligman, Missouri. Wilma grew up on a farm in rural Iowa between Scranton and Jefferson and graduated in 1954 from Scranton Consolidated High School.
She married Jerry Allen Rushing, February 8, 1957. They were married for 42 years when he died in 1999. Together they raised four children in Johnston, Iowa. All survive: Ron (Jeanine) Rushing, Des Moines, Carrie (Scott) Makin, Wabash, Ind., Terry (Nyle) Rushing, Johnston, and Diane (Bobby) Elliott, Waukee.
One of the greatest joys of her life was being a grandma to 10 and great-grandma to 13, (with one due in May) and one great-great-grandson.
She loved reading, and as a child was often caught reading rather than doing her chores. She enjoyed reading to her grands and greats, and most recently gifted them books for Christmas.
She also loved watching Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball and recently began following the New York Yankees.
Wilma was always generous with her time and resources, giving to family members and others in need, volunteering for many organizations, and as a loving foster parent.
She was instrumental in bringing congregate meals to Crown Point Senior Center, Johnston, and was a regular volunteer in the office.
Most recently she resided in independent living at Meadowbrook of Johnston, just a mile from her home of 47 years.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by one grandson Joshua Rushing, four brothers, and two sisters. One sister Hazel Monthei, Jefferson, Iowa, and a sister-in-law Ardith Maile, Salem, Ore. survive, along with many loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts may be made in her name to: Care Initiatives Hospice, 7055 Vista Dr., West Des Moines, Iowa.
