Mary Lou (Mary Lou “6-2”) Rush, 90 joined her loved ones that went before her on December 11, 2017.

She was born on September 29, 1927, in Kenosha, to the late Louis and Mitzi (Gorozdos) Arnoldini.

On April 7, 1961, she married her forever partner, James Edwin Rush.  Her brother Charlie suggested she meet a friend of his named Jim.  The rest is marriage history.  Married for 56 years, they had a collaborative and caring relationship based on mutual support and a deep love for each other.

Educated in Kenosha schools, Mary Lou graduated from Mary D. Bradford in 1945.  Over the years, she was employed by Samuel Lowes, Great Lakes, 30 years at L.C. THOMSEN as secretary/sales and 10 years at Jockey International in the cafeteria finally retiring in 1999.

Her interests included knitting, reading, travel, casino trips, playing cards, bowling (appearing on Bowling For Dollars), baking (with many winning recipes published in the Kenosha News), loved spending time with family and friends, clown collecting, game shows, loved animals (inherited many pets over the years), avid Packers fan (even though there are BEARS fans in the family), Brewers fan (rarely missing a game on TV or radio), crosswords and Jim!

Mary Lou eased the bumps in life’s journey through faith and prayer and she was thankful for the Lord’s blessings.  An original “Church Basement Lady”, she volunteered at Northside Bible by holding prayer meetings, Bible Study, Sunday School and cooked at many events held for the church.  She was also in the choir.

An inspiration to all who knew her, Mary Lou was beautiful inside and out.  She loved to laugh and have fun.  She was generous, thoughtful and kind, but most of all she was always caring in action, mind and heart.  The legacy of Mary Lou’s kind spirit, passions and zest for life will live on.  Words cannot express our deep loss.

Mary Lou is survived by many friends and family members who were her pride and joy.  Her son, Robert (Karen) Reich, Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Bobbi (John)Wilson, Kenosha, Rae-Ann (Jerry) Crowell, Ogilvie, MN, Danni (Andy) Hartnell, Overland Park, KS,  Ronni (John) Alia, Pleasant Prairie, WI; their mother, Janice Rondou; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Brett Wilson, Alix (Joe) Sjodin, Hannah Crowell, Amber Donovan, Abbey, Johnny,  Lauren and Joey Alia; three great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim; son, Daniel Louis Reich; brothers, Louis and Charles Arnoldini; sister, Eleanore (Arnoldini-Hart) Wruck, and parents, Louis and Mitzi Arnoldini.

The family would like to thank Dr. Tomasz Jarzembowski and his medical staff and Brookside Care Center for their loving care and attention.

God has you in his arms...we have you in our hearts.

Service Info

A Memorial Service honoring Mary Lou’s life will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at the Piasecki -Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI.