Margie Rust Obituary

Margie (Coss) Rust

Margie (Coss) Rust was called home on August 20, 2025, after living with Alzheimer's Disease.

Margie was the daughter of Tyrus and Grace (Holey) Coss, of Temperance, born February 27, 1947. She went to Bedford High School, a 1965 graduate, then attended Adrian College, graduating in 1969. After college, she married Rusty (Kermit Rust, II) at Collingwood United Methodist Church. Margie worked as a keypunch operator before being hired at Flower Hospital as a dietician. Shortly after their daughter was born in 1975, they bought a piece of property in Whiteford Township to build on. There they raised Cortney and Little Rusty (Kermit III). That property later became Ironwood Nursery, known in the area for their huge, $2 fall mums. For almost 20 years, Margie was the face of that small landscape nursery, growing her prized roses each spring, achieving her Master Gardener Certification through the state extension, and helping area homeowners design and beautify their landscapes. As her children became older, Margie went back to Adrian College to earn her teaching degree, later teaching at Whiteford High School, Orchard Center School, and even teaching at Monroe County Jail, helping inmates earn their GED's. Teaching was probably her truest vocational calling all along. She was extremely intelligent, and loved to read and learn new things; but most of all, she saw people through the most innocent, unblemished perspective allowing her to greet each student with an open mind, without prejudice, and confident the individual could overcome any obstacle. She was kind, fun, always up for a new adventure, and had the greatest smile. She could talk college football – the players, the coaches, and the stats - with any fellow college football fan. She loved a good rollercoaster and believed in driving at least five over the speed limit at all times. She took great pride in her home, and she would have followed her kids and grandkids to the end of the earth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ty and Grace Coss; her sister, Ruth Stewart; and her husband, Rusty. Surviving her are her children, Cortney (Jack) Schaefer of Lambertville, Michigan; and Kermit (Arlene) Rust III of Wichita, Kansas; as well as her five grandchildren, Jackie, Grant, Kermit IV, Kendall, and Henry.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave. Visitation will also be at the funeral home, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memory Lane Care Services.

www.ansberg-west.com