Sharon Kay Rusch, age 79 of Mishicot, entered eternal life on Monday, January 8, 2024 at River's Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc. She was born on March 18, 1944 on the family farm in Knightstown, Indiana where she grew up. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Goldie Eckstein Delay.

She excelled in school (skipping 1st grade) and graduated from Mays High School in Knightstown and the University of Indiana at Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. Kay has lived in the Mishicot and Manitowoc area since the 1970s. Kay also lived in Baltimore, Maryland in the 1960s.  She took work at a hospital in Baltimore for several years before moving to the Manitowoc area where she set down roots – met John whom she married on March 3, 1973 and raised her family and created a beautiful circle of friends. Last year they had the honor of celebrating 50 years of marriage. She was a stay-at-home mother for many years raising her 4 children.  Eventually, she and her husband switched roles and she returned to her career as a Physical Therapist.  Kay worked as a physical therapist, including as department chair, at Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc for 32 years. She greatly enjoyed working with rehabilitation patients to restore their physical abilities. She was a member of the A Patch of Lakeshore Quilters of Manitowoc and of Holy Cross Parish in Mishicot. Kay was faithful to her catholic beliefs across her life.   Quilting and sewing was a passion for Kay, including annually sewing pajamas for her 10 grandchildren, many creative baby quilts for friends, and flannel shirts for her husband.  She shared her gift for sewing and quilting with her grandchildren and many projects were completed with her assistance over the years. Kay enjoyed life by participating in many social activities as a young adult from softball to sailing.  Family was important to her and family gatherings from visits to Indiana, to summer vacation at Semerios' Cabin on Little Sturgeon, and an annual Pool House extended family event were highlights which made so many memories for her children and grandchildren. All the swimming, playing cards and games, cooking and delighting in family meals created memories for a lifetime.

Kay is survived by her husband, John; her son Andrew Rusch, daughter Cynthia (Kory) Wyant, son Edwin (Angela) Rusch, and son Henry (Cherry) Rusch, 10 grandchildren and her brother Jerry Delay. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Rick Delay and her grandson Evanton Rusch.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 15, 2024 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Relatives and friends may call at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.  Following the memorial service a luncheon will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the funeral home.  Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and chapel.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to Parkinson's Disease.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.