William "Bill" J. Rusch

William J. “Bill” Rusch, age 76, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025, at the Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton, Wisconsin, after a long-term illness.

Bill, was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, on September 20, 1948, to John S. and Evelyn M. (Fleck) Rusch. Bill grew up on the family farm and started his education at Ives School, a country schoolhouse nearby. After Ives School closed, he attended school in Cambridge, Wisconsin, and graduated from the Cambridge High School in 1966. He then decided to attend the Madison Area Technical College in Fort Atkinson to learn a trade.

Along with learning a trade, Bill applied for a summer apprenticeship position at The Cambridge Bakery which led to a 10 year position as a baker’s assistant. Bill enjoyed being a baker so much that he purchased the bakery in 1977 when the owners decided to retire. He became affectionately known as “Baker Billy” as patrons were drawn to the delicious products and smells that came from the bakery. Bill owned The Cambridge Bakery until 1985 when he received an employment offer from The Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, to become a pastry chef there. While there, he was sent to the J.W. Marriott Baking School in Washington, D.C., to learn more about food handling and sanitation. This eventually led to yet another offer from the Cherokee Country Club, also located in Madison, to become the executive pastry chef. This was his last employment position in the area of food service that he had enjoyed for many years.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and a younger brother, John Rusch III.

Bill is survived by a son, Erich (Ashley) Rusch; a grandson, Robert Rusch; two brothers, Robert (Janice) Rusch and Charles (Cynthia) Rusch; a sister, Betty (Craig) Anderson; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 10am to noon at the Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Burial will be held immediately following at the Rockdale Lutheran Cemetery in Rockdale, Wisconsin.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Agrace Hospice Care and the many medical providers for their wonderful care and support over the course of the last several years.

The family also wishes to thank Dunlap Memorial Home for assisting with the arrangements.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com     

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