Walter "W.C." Vanden Bussche

WALTER 'W.C' VANDENBUSSCHE was born October 24, 1921, to August and Emma (VanVlanderen) Vanden Bussche in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on the farm near Luverne and attended country school District 31 and graduated from the eighth grade. Following his education he worked on the family farm until 1940, when he began working on a farm near Kanaranzi, Minnesota. In 1942, he took a job driving a grain and cattle truck for Earl McDowell. On June 27, 1945, Walter was united in marriage to Loretta Mae Kruger at the First Baptist Church in Luverne. The couple made their residence on a farm near Jasper, Minnesota. In 1957, the couple moved to a farm one mile south of their residence and in 1961, they moved to Walter’s parents’ farm ten miles southeast of Jasper. Walter continued to farm and milk cows. In 1985, he retired from milking cows, but continued taking care of his stock cows. In 2003, Walter retired from farming full-time, but continued to help his sons part-time. Loretta preceded him in death on December 1, 2005. He became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne in October of 2008. Though Walter was not living on the farm, his passion for “the farm” never faltered. He relished his visits back to check on the fields and see his dog, Max. On Sunday, June 10, 2012, Walter passed away at the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home at the age of 90 years, 7 months, and 16 days.

Walter was a member of the First Baptist Church in Luverne where he served as an usher for a couple of years. He loved to snowmobile and was a member of the Snowmaster’s Snowmobile Club in Luverne. He enjoyed his time spent on the farm. He especially enjoyed traveling to Europe with Loretta to visit extended family in Belgium. Walter loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. To them he was known as “Grandpa Walt.”

He is lovingly remembered by his five children, Cynthia and her husband Bill Reu of Luverne, Veryl and her husband Dwayne Knigge of Monticello, Minnesota, Earl and his wife Trish of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, Jerald and his wife Cheryl of Beaver Creek, and Lloyd and his wife Naomi of Beaver Creek; 16 grandchildren; 2 step-granddaughters; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 step-great-granddaughter; brother-in-law, Gerald Kruger of Sioux Center, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Helen Kruger of Luverne; family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; daughter, Loann Peters; and parents, August and Emma.

Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.