Margaret Hrindak Rusk, 80, of Cedar Park, Texas

Margaret Hrindak Rusk, 80, of Cedar Park, Texas

Margaret Hrindak Rusk, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 while in hospice care in Austin, Texas.

Margaret was born Oct. 23, 1928 in Gary, Ind., to Michael and Anna (Harvan) Hrindak. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell Jerry Rusk.

After retiring first to Bloomington, Ind., then Ridge Manor, Fla., they have lived for five years in Cedar Park, Texas, north of Austin.

Survivors include their children, Paulette (Richard) Haddix of Schererville; Mark (Becky Miller) Rusk of Palacios, Texas; Barbara Rusk Allen of Austin, Texas; and Brian (Nona Bergeron) Rusk of Elmira, Mich. Other survivors are grandchildren Craig (Lindsay Trattner) Haddix of Indianapolis, Grace (Justin) Santos of Griffith, Brett Haddix of Schererville, Celeen Rusk of Chicago, Faith Rusk of New York City, Vivian Rusk of Austin, Hunter Allen of Austin, Nicole (Joshua) Walters of Gaylord, Mich., Jaziah Bergeron of Lewiston, Mich., four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her brother Michael (Sue) Hrindak of Dyer.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, brother John (Frances) Hrindak of Long Beach, Calif. and sister RoseMary (late John) Onder of Rensselaer.

Margaret worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co. before starting her family, and later for Indiana Bell once the children were older. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Together, she and Jerry created a wonderful home, where their love nurtured and embraced Christian values, as well an appreciation for education, achievement and cooperation. Margaret’s other legacy is her talent as a fabric artist. She had an exceptional eye for fabric selection and a deft touch with needle and thread, which she learned from her mother. The combination resulted in her sewing many wonderful outfits for herself, her children and her daughters’ dolls. More than 40 years ago, she began concentrating her talents on making quilts, many of which she sewed by hand. She generously gave them as presents to loved ones, who appreciated the colorful patterns and incredible handiwork. Even though her quilts are scattered in loved ones’ homes throughout the country, more than 40 remained at her home at the time of her passing. Together, they represent a body of work that will warm relatives’ hearts for generations.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, at the Rankin Union Cemetery in Rankin, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Austin’s Christopher House would be appreciated. The address is 2820 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78702.