Nora Jean Rushford

Nora Jean Rushford, 58, of Newberry, was a resident of Gould City, Grand Marais, and Curtis, before she finally settled in Newberry. She worked in adult foster care homes, providing primary care for several terminally ill patients. She and her husband, Ed, managed several area hotels.

Mrs. Rushford died Sunday morning, January 21, 2007, at her home, and had been ill with cancer.

She lived in Richmond as a child, and moved to Gould City as a teenager. She was graduated from Newberry High School and Bay Mills Community College. She married Edward Rushford December 12, 1987.

Mrs. Rushford considered Newberry her home, although she and her husband lived in several other places. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was by far her favorite activity, friends recall, and she particularly enjoyed making large, holiday meals. She enjoyed crocheting, doll making, and cooking, and family members said she will be remembered for her delicious pumpkin pie.

Mrs. Rushford is survived by her husband, Ed, of Newberry; four children and their families, Marlene and Tom Williams of Kinross, Nora Lynn Gage of Newberry, Vernon Gage of Manistique, and Myra and Jamie Kimbler of Newberry; five stepchildren and their families, Ed Rushford Jr. of Racine, Wisconsin, Suzzette and Dave Collins of Portsmouth, Ohio, Donald Rushford and Brian and April Rushford of Portsmouth, and Billy Rushford of Lyon; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two siblings and their families, Michael and Dorothy Hartley of Yuma, Arizona, and Carol and Ernie Anderson of Chillicothe, Ohio, and many extended family members and friends, in particular, Sandy Riddle. The couple's aunt and uncle, Robert and Carol Lohr of Florence, Wisconsin, devoted many weeks over the past 18 months to assist in Mrs. Rushford's care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Bob Hartley.

Services will be Thursday, January 25, at 11 a.m. at Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Friends can call at the funeral home Thursday, January 25, from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Pastor John Troyer will officiate.

Interment will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Engadine.