Lillian "Lil" M. Rusin was born on March 18, 1923 to Richard and Elsie (Reichert) Kearney in Oak Grove Township, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Lil was one of ten children and grew up in a very typical Midwest hardworking home during the early-mid 1900s.

She was a natural caregiver at heart and a great sister to her siblings. Lil was a determined, tenacious woman. After graduation from Rice Lake High School in 1940, she continued her education at Barron County Normal School and received a teaching certified in both WI (1942) and Illinois (1954).

She met her husband Fred A. Rusin to whom she married on July 7, 1956. They started their life together in Chicago where Lil worked at Chas A Stevens for many years. Lil loved big city living but the draw to family brought her and Fred to Genoa, IL, where Lil discovered her passion for real estate. A sharp and quick learner, Lil quickly became a licensed real estate broker selling homes and farms in both Illinois and Wisconsin for Quinn Real Estate. After just four years, Lil assumed ownership of the brokerage and later changed the name to Midwest Real Estate. Some may say that Lil was a woman before her time. Her adventurous heart and love for learning took her all around the world to places like Africa, Fiji, the Galapagos, the Amazon and to countless countries in Europe, Asia and Russia. To all that knew her, Lil was known to be a kind and generous woman and would often lug home trinkets for her loved ones from her trips around the globe.

Lil always had a great appreciation for the finer things in life and would be seen dressed in the latest trends well into her older years. Many will remember Lil for her witty, loving, adventurous soul.

Lil passed away peacefully on January 7, 2024 at the age of 100.

She is preceded in death by her husband Fred, her three brothers Harold "Bud" (Mary) Kearney, Patrick (Rose) Kearney, Michael Kearney, her four sisters Marie (Glenn) Atlee, Marcella (Harvey) Dillon, Lucille (Ted) Bujalski and Crystal (Bob) Lang.

Lil is survived by her brother Richard "Dick" (Diana) Kearney of Genoa and several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Lillian requested no services.  Arrangements were completed by the Slater-Butala Funeral Home of Genoa, IL.

To sign the online guest book or write a special memory, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com