Nan Ruth Slusher
April 6, 1925 – July 22, 2012
Nan Slusher, 87, of Rockport, TX, died after an extended illness, Sunday, July 22 at St. Peter’s Hospital. Cremation took place under the direction of the Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke Funeral Home.
Nan Slusher, mother, passed away serenely with courage and grace, with loved ones by her side in the evening hours of July 22 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT. She had returned in May to her summer home in Helena to be with family and friends near her hometown of Boulder.
Nan Ruth Williams was born April 6, 1925 in Boulder, MT, the daughter of Ruth and Johnny Williams, Sheriff of Jefferson County. She was the youngest sister of Carter, Wanda and Doris (Ducky) Williams. She attended Jefferson County High School and after graduation she taught school in a one-room schoolhouse at Claysoil, Mt. She attended the University of Montana (Missoula), Los Angeles City College and graduated from the University of Denver. She returned to Boulder to help with her family where she met her future husband, Edward Slusher, at the skating rink. They were married in Boulder June 14, 1947 and spent their honeymoon in Glacier National Park, spurring a lifelong passion for hiking and camping in the forests. Their children followed: Steve in 1948, Dan in 1949 and Jeanne in 1951. Ed taught the three kids to ski at Sno Bowl and Marshall Ski area in Missoula and Nan was quite often heard joking that the family would attend Sunday services at the Congregational Church dressed in ski clothes so as not to miss a moment of skiing the powder.
Family and doing good things for others were the most important things in life for Nan. Being married to a Missouri farm-boy gave her the opportunity to preserve the produce grown in the huge garden in the backyard. Come a harsh winter in Missoula, the family sat down to a dinner table filled with the bounty of canned fruits and vegetables. Perhaps Mother’s greatest endeavor and passion was the Tennis Center and non-profit Tennis School she built in Rockport. She provided a beautiful setting for young and old alike to enjoy the game she had loved her whole life. Mother was fond of saying there is a tennis court in every town in America and we suspect she now found one on a higher plane.
She was preceded in death by her two sons, Steve and Dan, her husband Edward and her two sisters, Wanda and Ducky.
Nan is survived by her daughter Jeanne and son-in-law Hokan Edwardson, her brother Carter Williams and many loving nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations in Mothers honor may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Anne Seliskar says
My thoughts and prayers are will you all. The William’s family has alwyas been so special to ours. I do hope the good memories are a comfort.
Anne and family
sharon perica says
Nan was an amazing person who touched my life. I am grateful for the times I had with her and glad she got to go home to Montana one more time. She raised a wonderful daughter whom I cherish as a friend. She will be missed by many.
T. Kelly says
Please accept my sincere condolences. May you be comforted by the hope found in God’s Word, the Bible, which promises that one day the earth will be a place free of pain, mourning, sickness and death (Revelation 21:4). These words were written to bring comfort to people and I hope that they bring you a measure of comfort and help you to cope during these most difficult days.
Tonna Strasko says
Colleen, our prayers are with all of you. We know how much you loved your beloved Aunt.
God bless.
Love
Tonna and Joe Strasko