Terry Lynn Rust

I worked with Terry in triage and we shared many laughs especially on how challenged she was with things on the computer. I am saddened to hear she is gone and your family has my sympathy. I loved reading your story and hope the many memories you made will help heal you.

MY STORY TERRY LYNN RUST
I am going to tell you a story about a young teenage girl that moved to the country from the city of Chicago.
Terry and her girl friend were walking along Francis Rd towards Mokena one summer day. While out riding around with my friend we passed these 2 girls and decided to turn around and pick them up. Pulling along side of them and asking if they needed a ride, they both hesitated but decided to accept and get into the car. Back in the day (1970) I was not 16 yet and Terry and her friend were just15. We rode around for a while and later drove them to Terry´s house on Francis Rd. As time went on and back to school, we started see each other on and off. Once I finally got my drivers licenses and a car we began the start of a lifelong relationship.

We were just two crazy teenagers in love. In November of 1971 we got married. I graduated early from high school and continued working in the construction field. Terry attempted to continue her schooling but was not able to continue while being pregnant with our first child so that was the start of her being a stay-at-home mom. In February of 1972 our daughter was born premature by 6 to 8 weeks early, we named her Tina Angle Rust. Tina only lived about 8 hours because of being premature. So, we buried our first child with my father to watch over her.

Time moved on as I worked and Terry got a job as a chaser. We moved several times from one apartment to another and finally bought a house on Front St in Mokena in late 1973, Terry was expecting our next child. This house was right across the street from the Fire House, convenient for me as I was on the volunteer fire department. In February of 1974 our son was born and this created a whole new experience for both of us. Moving ahead our daughter was born in April of 1975 and another son in February of 1979. During the time we lived there, Terry went to Joliet Junior College studying for her nursing licenses while taking our youngest child to day care at the College. We lived there for about 17 years, out growing the home we move to the country in Manhattan area.

Our Manhattan home was Terry´s dream home we built together. By this time Terry had her nursing license and was working a registered nurse while continuing to manage the household. During her nursing career Terry treated and elderly woman having a stroke in the hall of the hospital. After they finished helping the woman Terry was not able to stand. Terry prevented the woman from falling and hitting the floor and during that time ruptured several disks in her back. In the next several years, Terry had 6 major back surgeries with bone graphs, hardware implants without any success. This ended her career as a hospital nurse. Terry maintained her nursing licenses and decided to work as a triage nurse for Hospice company. As time moved on Terry´s back condition continued to worsen eventually preventing her to continue working. By this time Terrys was only able to walk with assistance of a walker. This did not stop her from what she wanted to do. Terry would take her walker and walk up and down the driveway daily for exercise. Plant her flower boxes and take the golf cart for a ride around the yard.

Family meant everything to Terry. Not only was Terry extremely close to all three of our children but the grandchildren and the great grandchildren meant the world to Terry. It did not matter how much pain she was in when the grandchildren and the great grandchildren came to visit it always put a big smile on her face. The three great grandsons were only a mile down the street, but they would always ask, lets go see grammy. At a minimum, Terry would facetime the three great grandsons at least once a day.

We bought a place in Florida a couple of years ago, even in Florida Terry would facetime the great grandkids regularly. With her limited mobility, Terry was never able to walk on the sand beaches but I would drive her to the parking lots just to look out at the Gulf of Mexico. Terry was able to go to the pool a sit and enjoy the sun, swim it the pool or just visit with the ladies. She always looked forward to our Florida trips.
All throughout our marriage we were always a complete family unit. During our years of marriage we went boating, camping in our motorhome, and fishing. Once we were able to even go to Mexico for a vacation. (The boys stayed home with their families). This person was my whole life. She was always by my side encouraging anything I wanted to do. I cannot even begin to imagine what life will be without her. When Terry passed away, part of me passed away leaving big hole in my life now. The last couple of years with her limited abilities she depended on me a lot. I will miss that need forever.

I know now Terry will be watching over us as we go through life and I will still talk to her knowing she is listening. This was the girl of my dreams. I will love her forever.

LOVE BOB