Joan Kay Rush

Joan Kay Rush of Cozad, Nebraska, peacefully passed away at home on Thursday February 16, 2023. She was born October 7, 1944 to Tom and Kate (Zeigler) Loughran in Broken Bow, NE. Joan attended Gates grade school through eighth grade, and then Merna High School where she graduated with the class of 1962. 

Joan married Jerry Rush in 1962 in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1975 she and Jerry relocated to Cozad where she became the Cozad Elementary librarian, retiring after 30 years of shelving and checking out books to children. She greatly enjoyed working with the staff and students and always looked forward to reading, “The Boxcar Children” to her second graders.

She was a faithful member of the Cozad United Methodist Church for over 50 years, serving on many committees as well as volunteering her time at both the Robert Henri Museum and the United Methodist Church Thrift Shop.

Many of her favorite memories were when she attended her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, especially when basketball season arrived. Joan loved keeping stats on every basket and free throw made, as well as the number of fouls committed by each team. She was an avid tennis player in her younger years, and belonged to three bridge clubs. Joan shuffled her cards for the last time one week before her death. In 2009 she became a member of the PEO Chapter IB, a sisterhood she greatly enjoyed. She loved her neighbors and her dear friends immensely. 

Joan and Jerry were blessed with three children; Jodi Lynn (Steve) Hirsch of Denver, Jamie Lee (Stephanie) of Cozad, and Jarod Lance (Nicole) of Callaway. She had seven grandchildren, Brittani Hirsch, Chelsey and husband Cody Freis all of Denver, Chad and Kacey Hirsch of Phoenix, AZ, Jacob Rush of Cozad and Sadie Rush of Tuscaloosa, AL, Jordan Rush of Overton, and Jack Rush of North Platte. Three great-children, Pyper Lynn and Daxtyn Bradley Freis, Hendrix Raymond Hirsch, and baby boy Hirsch due in March. Brothers, Mick (Ellen) Loughran of Lincoln, Randy (Janet) Loughran of Broken Bow, and sister Sue (Don) Schauda of Comstock. 

Other relatives include her Aunt June of Denver, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; Tom and Kate Loughran, husband Jerry, brother Allan Loughran, in-laws Jack and Elaine Rush and granddaughter Kaylin Christine Rush.

Memorials are suggested to Central Plains Home Health and Hospice. Services will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Gahn officiating. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6pm with family present from 5 to 6 pm at Berryman Funeral Home.