Twila Ann Reusch

Twila Ann Reusch, age 78, of Derinda, passed away October 21, 2024 at Grand Meadow Nursing Facility in Asbury, IA. A private funeral service will be held, and burial will take place at Derinda Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established.

Twila was born February 27, 1946, in Woodbine, IL, the daughter of Lorenz and Augusta (Eacker) Beyer. She graduated from Elizabeth High School with the class of 1964. On May 8, 1966, Twila married Richard Reusch, at Derinda Trinity Lutheran Church.

Twila worked a few different jobs in Freeport in the early years of her marriage, before starting at Eaton Corp, in Hanover. Later, she worked for five years in the River Ridge School cafeteria, and at a real estate office in the Galena Territory. But her most important work was always that as a mother and farm wife. She raised her children with love and proudly worked as Richard’s partner on the farm. She ran all the machinery, and had a hand in just about every chore, other than milking the cows; she never warmed up to that.

A lifelong member of Derinda Trinity Lutheran Church, Twila considered community involvement to be extremely important. She served on the church council, and worked as secretary for the Elizabeth fair, and for the Derinda Township, for 25 years. And for decades, she reported the weather on their farm each morning to the National Weather Service in Washington, D.C.

Of all the hard work she routinely handled, mowing and flower gardening were surely her favorites. But her very favorite pastimes always involved her grandchildren. She loved them dearly and was immensely proud of them.

Twila will be forever remembered and loved by her husband of 58 years, Richard; children, Chad (Wendy) Reusch, of Stockton, IL and Mindy (Lyle) Eaton, of Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, Kelsey (Brian) McDivitt, Kaitlyn (Tyler Verbeck) Reusch, Kyleigh Reusch, Nathan (Madison Stulc) Pratt, Sarah (Matt Eacker) Pratt, Andrew (Reece McCartney) Pratt, and Maxwell Eaton; two great-grandchildren, Abel McDivitt and Amelia McDivitt, and one on the way!; brother, Russell (Linda) Beyer; sisters-in-law, Lillian Beyer and Sharon Beyer; and brother-in-law, Dan (Dianna) Reusch. Twila is preceded in death by her parents, Lorenz and Augusta; son, Chet Reusch (infant); siblings, Dorothy (Melvin) Ellinor, LeRoy Beyer, Allen Beyer, Ronald (Peggy) Beyer, Iva Mae (Tommy) Leehan, LaVonne Schrader, and John Beyer; and brother-in-law Don Reusch.