Cecilia Eileen Tjaden-Rush (nee Bundy) of rural Waynetown passed away peacefully surrounded with love at 4:37 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at the age of 68 in Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis.
She was born May 9, 1954, at Storm Lake, Iowa, daughter of the late Cyril and Virginia Haburn Bundy and was a graduate of Eden Prairie High School with the class of 1972. She was the quiet woman in the grocery store to whom strangers would open up – completely unprompted – in the checkout line, a testament of the openness of her spirit. She was a beacon of optimism for all those who met her, befriended her, and loved her. Her passion and profession in life was baking and cake decorating, helping other people celebrate their special occasions and victories. She baked thousands of cookies, cakes, and treats for those she loved, especially at Christmas. Her quiet pleasures included sewing, crocheting, quilting, and crafting. But her true calling was her family, for whom she had endless time and patience. She spent 38 years with her first husband, Lea, and six years with her second husband, Warren. After Lea passed in 2014, she met Warren, and a new chapter of adventures began for her, including a new marriage, new home and numerous trips and vacations. She was a living testament that every ending leads to a new beginning.
Her true joy was her faith. Anyone who spent time with her felt God’s love for them through her hospitality and her generosity. If you knew her, it was impossible to not be inspired by her spirit, which carried her through 24 years of struggles and victories as she battled bouts of cancer and injuries, even as she carried the burdens and concerns of those she loved. Her unforgettable legacy will live on forever in those she loved.
Cecilia is survived by her husband, Warren Rush; daughters, Anna, Sharon Rose (Douglas Glass) and Holly Beth (Corey Sheerer); sons, Nathaniel Fred (Lisa) and Dominic; grandchildren, Felicity, Henry, Brendan, Taylor, Brooklyn, Kendall, Hendrix, Jaxon, Tristan, Caison and Carter; sisters, Dolores (Keith Olsen), Denise Voll; brothers, Curt (Roxie), Douglas (Lyrl Jensen), James (Nancy), Ray (Jennifer); numerous nieces and nephews; and her dear friend, Judy Smith.
She joins in the afterlife her mother, Virginia (nee Haburn); her father, Cyril; and her first husband, Leland Tjaden.
Although our hearts will forever call out to you whenever we are hurt, be at peace, Mom. And when it’s our time, we have faith that you will be there to help us join you. We’ll see you then.
Visitation hours are noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, with funeral services following at 2 p.m. conducted by her family, at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. Interment will follow in Waynetown Masonic Cemetery.
In honor of Cecilia’s love for paying it forward, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation at www.carcinoid.org.
Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a condolence.
