Russell Benjamin House, born October 30th, 1979, known to his family and friends as Rus, Rusty and Uncle Monkey, was a loving husband, father, son, carpenter and craftsman. Surrounded by his adoring family and in the tender care of KC Hospice & Palliative Care, he took his final breath on February 8, 2020, putting an end to his long and courageous battle with stupid cancer. He was a mere 40 years of age.
Rus is remembered with love by his wife of 14 years, Corrie Madill House; his sons Collin and Liam House; his mother Beverly Gilbert (Bruce) and father Dan House (Liz); his mother-in-law Kerry Morrell (Rich) and father-in-law Marshall Madill (Jan); his brother Jason House (Kellie) and sister Erin Robinson (Danny); his nieces and nephews MaKaila, Kaitlin, Gavin, and many loving aunts and cousins. He is predeceased by his grandparents James and Elizabeth Belwood and Art and Juanita House.
Rus was a life-long resident of Kansas City. Rus graduated from Blue Valley High School in 1998, where he enjoyed musical theatre, playing the cello and creating art. Rus then studied art at KU, but realized a desk job doing computer graphics was not his creative calling. Instead, he took on an apprenticeship with Terry Woodward learning to be a master carpenter. He worked in the family business, Regarding Kitchens, combining his brilliant mind, artistic eye and drive for perfection to build beautiful new spaces in people’s homes, forever impacting their lives with his craftsmanship and kindness.
Rus married the love of his life Corrie on September 24, 2005. They would be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in September. When it came to house and home, their creative juices complementing each. They made a dynamic duo that was one of a kind. They enjoyed blessing others through these gifts, and had dreams of flipping houses, RVing around the country and owning a bed and breakfast where others could be blessed by their hospitality and Rus’ cooking.
They had two special boys that filled their hearts with joy. Rus loved teaching his boys how to build and create. Many of Rus’ special traits are already manifesting in them. Rus will enjoy watching from above as his most precious creations develop their own gifts and talents that God has given them through their daddy.
They enjoyed a close relationship with Legacy Christian Church where they shared their love of Christ with many friends who have supported them during their long journey. Rus served on the Facilities Maintenance Team, taught Kindergarten Sunday School, lead crafts for Vacation Bible School and was always ready and willing to volunteer his time for whatever project for which his wife volunteered him!
Those who knew Rus knew him as a quiet man with a big heart and a big voice to match. He was kind, gentle, compassionate, immensely creative, and a profound thinker. Never one to boast or let his light shine out, his work was often behind the scenes where no one noticed the artist, but reaped the benefit of the art. His talents took him from the kitchen both in carpentry and in food, to the garden to the workshop, where he could accomplish anything he set his mind to. We lost Rus’ gifts and talents far too soon - before he even passed away.
A celebration of Rus’ life is scheduled for Saturday February 15th at Legacy Christian Church at 10150 Antioch Rd. Overland Park, KS. Visitation from 9:00 to 10:30. There will be a special area for Collin & Liam to entertain visiting friends during this time as well. A service will be held directly after with burial immediately following the service at Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Rd, Lenexa KS.
The family requests that In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in his honor to The University of Kansas Cancer Center who has provided great care to Rus and his family. Contributions can be sent to 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Suite 305, Mailstop 2004, Westwood, KS 66204 or https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/giving Contributions can also be made to the “House Family Fund” or the “House Boys Education Fund”. These should be sent to 11905 W. 100th Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66215.