Profile Text
Birth Name: Merrilee Gunst
Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Date of Birth: January 26, 1944
Ethnicity: * father – German * mother – Swedish
Merrilee Rush is an American singer. She is known for her recording of the song “Angel of the Morning.”
She is the daughter of Edith and Reuben Gunst, a homebuilder. Merrilee is married to singer, songwriter, and entertainer Billy Mac.
Merrilee’s paternal grandfather was August Gunst (the son of Martin Gunsch and Katharina Hertle). August was an ethnic German, from Kassel, Odessa, now Ukraine.
Merrilee’s paternal grandmother was Emilia Bergstrazer (the daughter of Johann Georg “John” Bergstrazer/Bergsträsser and Albertina Sievert). Emilia was an ethnic German, from the Russian Empire. Johann was born in Bessarabia, now Ukraine, the son of Peter Bergsträsser, who was from Borodina; and of Catharina Schäufele, who was from Gebersheim, Württemberg, Germany.
Merrilee’s maternal grandfather was George Oscar Magnuson (the son of Sven Johan Magnusson and Anna Carolina Eklund). George was born in Polk, Wisconsin, to Swedish parents. Sven was from Sexdrega, Älvsborg, the son of Magnus Johansson and Johanna Stina Svensdotter. Anna was from Ludvika, Dalarna, the daughter of Johan Erik “Jan” Eklund and Sara Lisa Andersdotter.
Merrilee’s maternal grandmother was Axie Edith Augusta Isackson (the daughter of Charles August Isackson and Anna Charlotta Carlson). Axie was a Swedish emigrant, from Fröseke, Älghult, Kronoberg. Charles was born in Kråksmåla, Kalmar, the son of Isak Jonasson and Susanna Persdotter. Anna was born in Långemåla, Kalmar, the daughter of Karl Peter Jonsson Ramsell and Stina Lisa Johannsdotter.