Rusty Ola Regee’ Washburn-Bangs, 49, of Burlington, died Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Born May 30, 1977, in Iowa City, Iowa, she was the daughter of Arlan and Becky Bangs.
She was a 1996 graduate of Burlington High School.
Rusty was a people person and spent her time and talents in professions that always led her to helping and serving people. She volunteered for many years for Toys for Tots, was an EMT, a hairdresser, a driver for the crime commission doing transports, operated a day care, served as a bartender at the VFW, and was a waitress.
She always had a smile and would lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, even when she was fighting her illness. She was loving and caring and always wished the best for everyone. Rusty was larger than life, and even though she had the compassion for others, don’t get it twisted, she was always in control, would never take no for an answer and always, ALWAYS had to have the last word.
She is survived by her pride and joy, her sons, Meloy Armstrong; her mother Becky Bangs; her sisters Roxy Jean Myers and Robbie Lee Escher; half-brother Dallas (Anita) Parker; nieces and nephews, Jarrett Escher, Jacey Escher, Shelbee Shields, Hailee Shields, Dalton Parker, Dakota Parker, Darrin Parker and Nevaeh Parker, along with four great nieces and nephews; her aunts, Bobby Link and Barby Kirby and her “baby daddy” Craig Armstrong.
She was preceded in death by her “poppie”, Arlan Bangs.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27th at Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com