Kenneth R. Busch

KENNETH RAYMOND BUSCH was born on September 28, 1923 to Leonard and Matilda (Dierks) Busch on the family farm in Nobles County near Fulda, Minnesota. He was baptized October 21, 1923 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fulda, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Fulda graduating in 1941. He was confirmed March 21, 1937 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fulda. He helped on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army on April 28, 1943. Kenneth was honorably discharged on March 4, 1946. On July 26, 1946 he was united in marriage to Verna Bartels at St. John Lutheran Church in Trosky, Minnesota. The couple resided in Hardwick, Minnesota. This union was blessed with two children, Barbara and David. Kenneth worked as a mechanic for Van Brothers in Hardwick for three years and then became the Postmaster at the United States Post Office in Hardwick from 1949 until he retired in 1979. In 1979 the couple moved to Luverne, Minnesota, and later to Worthington from 1981 to 1986, and Fulda from 1986 to 2002. The couple moved back to Luverne in 2002. In July of 2009 because of their health, they moved to Loveland, Colorado to be closer to family. Verna preceded Ken in death on June 20, 2016. On Friday, September 23, 2016, Ken died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Village in Loveland at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 25 days.

Ken was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. While he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, he held various church offices with local, zone and state. He served as an elder and president of the congregation, Bible class teacher, and he belonged to Lutheran Laymen’s League. He was a 30 year member of the Hardwick Fire Department where he held various offices, he belonged to the VFW, American Legion, Hardwick Commercial Club and the Hardwick PTA. Ken enjoyed woodworking, gardening, crafts, and traveling, visiting most of the United States, also Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and a Caribbean Cruise. They also spent many winters in Arizona. Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with Verna, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and other family.

Ken is survived by his daughter Barbara DeGroot and her husband Gaylord of Andover, Minnesota; son, David Busch and his wife Kathy of Loveland, Colorado; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna; parents, Leonard and Matilda; great-granddaughter, Kaylie Dickerson; six sisters, Ida, Julia, Amelia, Elsie, Martha, and Esther; two brothers, George and Clarence.