by Mari Radtke
Kyle Ruschmann of Primghar graduated from Spencer High School and immediately became one of the few, the proud. He became a United States Marine. He met his future wife on active duty and they spent 13 years in south east Michigan where she grew up. They then built a life in Texas.
During a Christmas visit home to Primghar Kyle’s dad announced his cancer had returned. Kyle was ready to stay, but Vernon said, “No.” But in February 2022 Kyle returned to celebrate his dad’s birthday and care for his dad while he fought cancer. During that time Kyle asked and was hired in a temporary, part time position with Nicholson & Edwards. Kyle planned to return to Texas with his wife, Tina, a his job. It wasn’t too long after that Kyle’s dad passed away at home. He stayed to settle the estate and ended up buying the house. He was hired full time by Nicholson & Edwards. Tina, on the other hand, was hesitant to relocate. She was near her sister and loved her job in the public school district. Moving to Iowa was a really big move. Kyle had been gone for 31 years. “I had an opportunity to come back home,” he said. Kyle likened his situation to tradition. He said, “Traditionally the eldest son gets the farm. I am the eldest son. My dad didn’t have a farm but I got his job. Sometimes I wonder if I have my life or dad’s life. But in this way, I got the farm.”
Kyle recalled the small things throughout his very young childhood in Primghar that made him feel very good. He contrasts that with some of the more challenging memories of his parents divorce and how he rarely saw his dad. But the good memories are powerful forces for Kyle. One particular recollection was a truck trip that he and his brother were allowed to take with their dad and grandpa to Sioux City, for Nicholson & Edwards. He remembers getting his own can of pop and donut. The simple things in life are so often the most powerful. Kyle recognized that those memories clarified that he is living his life. The life that gave him such joyful and powerful childhood memories.
Kyle recalls that his grandfather was also employed by Nicholson & Edwards. “I’m guessing about 12 years. My dad worked for them for 48. I’m hoping to make it 40 so that we can hit century employees.” Knowing the long odds of this happening Kyle added, “I don’t know what I’ll be doing, maybe remote driving? I don’t know.”
Tina joined Kyle in Primghar in 2022 and works for South O’Brien Schools. It’s all come full circle and Kyle drives the same truck as his dad did for 48 years.