Long time Anchorage resident, Rusty Elaine French, 84, died November 18, 2021, unexpectedly and peacefully at home. To honor her wishes, she will be cremated and no services will be held. Rusty was born March 6,1937 in Fertile, Minnesota, to Clara (Peterson) & Melvin Dounley. She was the second born of four daughters. She grew up on a small farm in Erskine, Minnesota with no running water. She attended school in Erskine, Minnesota through ninth grade. In 1957, Rusty was married to the late John (Jack) Potucek in Warren, Minnesota and was blessed with two daughters, Peggy & Penny. Rusty and her daughters moved to Alaska in 1973. Over the years, Rusty had many waitressing jobs and was a school bus attendant with the Anchorage School District. Over summer breaks, she would babysit for multiple families. In 1998, she retired from the ASD as a Teamster. Rusty was extremely proud of her daughters, grandsons, great granddaughter and all her grand puppies & kitties. Rusty enjoyed spending time with her family any chance she had. She would share stories about all them with anyone and everyone. Highlights of Rusty’s life included spending time or talking with family and friends. She was adventurous and enjoyed outings, long drives and day trips. Memories were always made with the annual family trip to the Alaska State Fair and holiday get togethers. Other interests included dancing, country & gospel music, reading, crossword puzzles, knitting/crocheting and her love of animals. She was still old school: loved sending and receiving cards & letters, talking on her landline phone, reading books and listening to her music on the radio, cassette & CDs. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and GG to her little angel Ana. GG Rusty would call and talk with Ana for hours. Ana would walk around the house with the phone and share stories and laugh together. GG and Ana were kindred spirits with their love of all animals, music, singing and dancing. She had a contagious smile and laugh, an awesome sense of humor and never knew a stranger. A special thank you to her “other” grandson, Jerin Cummings, who was always there to help. She will be greatly missed by her family & friends. Her life path was not always easy, but her faith and determination continued throughout. From the bookmark she was using: “He will give His Angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91.11 Survivors mourning her passing are daughters, Peggy Johnson of Eagle River, AK & Penny (Mike) Armstrong of Anchorage, AK; grandsons, Michael Armstrong of Anchorage, AK & Matt Johnson of Eagle River, AK and great granddaughter Ana Johnson of Eagle River, AK; sisters, Marj Bowles of Michigan & Geri Kolanowski of Indiana; a niece, nephews and cousins. Rusty was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Marie Hellinger and Geneva Dounley. Condolences may be sent to Peggy Johnson, P.O. Box 772222, Eagle River, AK 99577