The funeral service will be live-streamed here.
Rush Loertscher, age 79, of Bluebell, graduated from this earthly life with honors on July 13, 2024.
Rush was born in Hunter, Utah, to Roy and Dorothy Loertscher. He was the 5th of twelve children. Rush was raised in Midway, Utah, and attended Wasatch High School, where he learned to play the sousaphone. After high school he attended Weber State prior to serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Eastern States Mission. He was part of the Flying Forty, the first missionaries to travel by plane within the United States to their mission. While on his mission he served as a guide at the Mormon Pavillion at the New York World’s Fair.
After his mission he attended Snow College on a music scholarship. While singing with the Institute Choir he noticed a red head “who sang too loud.” Rush began dating ShanaLee Winkler, but the US Government interrupted their courtship when he was drafted to Vietnam.
He was an M-16 operator on a half track before being recruited to the US Army Band. The soldier who took his placed on the half track was killed two days after his transfer. He credited the sousaphone with saving his life. While stationed in Vietnam, he was called to serve as a missionary. Upon returning to the States, he finished his military service with the 50th Army Band in Virginia.
Rush married ShanaLee Winkler in the Salt Lake City Temple on July 23, 1969. They returned to Snow College where they were dorm parents. Rush earned money by playing the double bass in the Snow College Dance Band, and almost missed the birth of his son, Kurt, due to one of those performances. In 1973, they moved to Bluebell where Rush went to work driving a crude oil truck for his brother-in-law, Udell Winkler. Rush and ShanaLee welcomed several foster children into their home, including Samantha Mart with whom they had a lasting relationship.
Rush held many jobs in his lifetime, many related to the oil field including owning his own business, Rush Wireline. Rush was very handy and loved to tinker on things. He owned many vehicles and was always repairing them mostly so he could lend them to people in need.
Rush had a strong testimony of the gospel, a loving relationship with our Savior, and lived his religion every day. Rush served in many callings in the church including High Councilor, Stake and Ward missionary, and his favorite, Scout Master. Rush made the boys happy by sleeping in his car at all of the camps due to his snoring. Rush earned his eagle scout award as a boy and helped several young men in his scouting program earn theirs. Rush served several additional missions with his wife including the Morristown New Jersey Mission, the Utah Provo Mission, and as ward missionaries in the Bluebell Ward. Rush and ShanaLee also served in the Vernal Temple as ordinance workers for 20 years.
Rush was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a very attentive grandfather to Kurt’s children, Sara and Emily, and Samantha’s daughter, Nakisha. He always made time to attend his granddaughter’s performances and games, and shared his testimony of the gospel with them in word and action.
Everyone who knew Rush knew he was never without a smile. If you asked him how he was doing his reply was always, “I’m happy!” and he was. He waved at every car that passed and always had time to help anyone in need. Rush loved his country and was active with the Altamont American Legion Post 53. Rush had a sweet tooth and loved Root Beer floats, and never said no to ice cream.
Rush is survived by his wife of 55 years, ShanaLee and his son, Kurt (Jackie) Loertscher, and granddaughters, Sara and Emily Loertscher, and Nakisha Mart. He is survived by seven of his siblings, Max (Ardean) Loertscher, Lyndy (Scotty) Deffendol, Jenny (David) Clawson, Brooke Pedersen, Kim (Sue) Loertscher, Melody (Scott) Hill, and Rilla (Dave) Tischner. He is also survived by in-laws Vi, Carla Rae, and Annie Loertscher; Beth Duke, and Udell (Ruth) Winkler; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rush is having a glorious reunion with his parents, Roy and Dorothy Loertscher, his in-laws, UB and Lucile Winkler; brothers, Paul, Brian, and Scott Loertscher; sister Barbara Bonner; brothers-in-law, Rex Pedersen, Chad Winkler, Jim Duke, and Howard Todd; sisters-in-law Pauline Winkler and Maxine Todd. And he is happy!!!!
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Altamont Stake Center.
Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the church and on Saturday morning from 10:00 - 10:45 AM.
Burial in the Bluebell Cemetery, with military honors presented by the Altamont American Legion and the Utah Army National Guard.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.
Friday, July 19, 2024
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)
Altamont Stake Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Saturday, July 20, 2024
10:00 - 10:45 am (Mountain time)
Altamont Stake Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Altamont Stake Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
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