Sheldon W. Rusch Obituary
Sheldon "Shelly" Rusch, 91, a resident of West Allis and, previously, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026. He was born in New London, Wisconsin, on November 7, 1934, the son of the late Walter and Alma (nee Beckman) Rusch. He graduated from New London High School in 1951. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1956 and shortly thereafter marrying Dorothy Jean Weyenberg of Menasha, Wisconsin. Before beginning his teaching and coaching career, he proudly served in the US Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Shelly and Dorothy's marriage was blessed with three children, Sheldon Michael, Todd Steven and Jodi Lynn, and five grandchildren, Shannon, Michaela, Nicholas, Benjamin and Jackson. After thirty-one years of their loving marriage, Dorothy passed away on March 4, 1987. On July 31, 1999, Shelly married Diane Ruth Halstead of West Allis, Wisconsin, a loving union that will endure beyond his passing.
Raised on a dairy farm in Readfield, Wisconsin, Shelly was introduced to the values of an honest day's work on the farm and at school while still finding time to play the game he would always love. From the farm pastures to the high school baseball diamond, Shelly excelled in all aspects of the game, but especially pitching. In his senior year, his talent on the mound caught the attention of the University of Wisconsin coaching staff, so much so that he was offered a scholarship to attend the university. At UW, Shelly quickly established himself on the varsity team and quietly emerged as one of the aces on the pitching staff. He played against and defeated some of the top teams in the nation, using his blazing fastball and legendary curveball to strike out hitters. To this day, he holds the record at Wisconsin for the most two-hitters in a career.
After college and his army service, Shelly accepted his first teaching job at Adams-Friendship High School in Central Wisconsin, where he taught physical education and coached the baseball and basketball teams. In 1962, he accepted a position as physical education teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and as head baseball coach at Wauwatosa West High School. After 40 dedicated years in the Wauwatosa school system, Shelly retired from his teaching career but continued to teach the people in his sphere of influence – a sphere practically as big as the Earth itself. Everyone who knew Shelly enjoyed his humor-filled stories, especially his grandchildren. With his memories, anecdotes and homespun wisdom, his stories reflected the richness of his life from farm boy to family man to community leader.
Shelly cherished the time he spent with his family and friends on the Wolf River near Fremont, Wisconsin, and in the natural beauty of Three Lakes and Eagle River in the Wisconsin Northwoods. His love of baseball extended to the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. He was an ardent fan of UW sports, and a longtime season ticket holder for football games. He was also one of the Milwaukee Bucks' original season ticket holders. And, of course, the Green Bay Packers were a lifeforce throughout his years. However, his greatest joy as a fan came from attending the education, sports and arts programs of his children and grandchildren, where, true to his character, he maintained a near perfect attendance record.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Dorothy, Shelly was preceded in death by his daughter, Jodi Leas (Gregg); brothers Kenneth, Ronald, Russell (Rosie), Roger (Gerda) and sister, Arlene Wendt (Gordie). In addition to his wife, Diane, he is survived by sons Sheldon (KT) and Todd (Kym), his grandchildren and countless family and friends. A celebration of Shelly's life will take place on Friday, August 22, 2026, at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 12012 W. North Avenue in Wauwatosa, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, followed by a Lutheran service and a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wisconsin Humane Society, or to the charity of your choice. The family also wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the everyday angels at Congregational Home in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and to the wonderful team with Agrace Hospice Care.
