Lynn Nugent Rus, 74, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, at The Heritage of Overland Park.
Lynn was born on April 11, 1951, in Newark, Ohio, to William and Marydee Nugent. In 1963, her family moved to Overland Park, KS where she began developing many friendships that lasted the rest of her life. She graduated from Bishop Miege High School, later earning her Associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas. She was a lifelong fan of both the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Kansas Jayhawks.
In 1976, Lynn married the love of her life, Steve, beginning a beautiful marriage that flourished for 49 years. Together, they built a life centered on love, family, faith, and adventure. Lynn loved traveling the world with Steve and treasured the trips they took with their family, especially the trips to Oceanside, CA with their children and grandchildren.
Lynn dedicated many years to serving as a paraprofessional in the Shawnee Mission School District, where she joyfully supported gifted young students. She had a special way of reaching her students and helping them achieve their full potential.
Family was at the heart of everything Lynn did. She was a devoted mother whose unique and thoughtful methods of encouragement helped her children grow in ways shaped deeply by her love. She loved being a Nana and relished every milestone, celebration, and simple everyday moment she shared with her grandchildren. She also cherished outings with her many girlfriends, with whom she enjoyed countless lunches, dinners, and her fun activities, specifically happy hours and spirited games of bowling where she once rolled a 252 in her Holy Roller bowling league.
Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marydee Nugent. She is survived by her devoted husband, Steven Rus; her daughter and son-in-law, Marideth Rus and Chris Marks; her son and daughter-in-law, Darren and Danae Rus; and her beloved grandchildren, Ava and Cora Rus, and Grayson and Noah Marks; and her sister, Storm Nugent. Lynn is also survived by a large group of cousins from the Newark area where she treasured her family reunions and Steve’s many family members who all loved her.
Lynn will be missed by her family, friends and all the people she touched during her life. Please join Lynn’s family in honoring her life on February 10 and 11, 2026. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m, followed by a visitation from 3:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on February 10 at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, KS. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS with inurnment afterward at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, KS. Family and friends are invited for lunch at 12:30 p.m. following Wednesday’s services.
The family suggests in memorial contributions to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.