Louis Bernhard Busse

Louis Bernhard Busse, 86, of Manson was called home on July 8, 2020.

Bernhard and Irmgard (Sittig) Busse brought Louis into the world on December 18, 1933 on the family farm just west of Knierim.  He attended Lincoln School #7 and graduated from Manson Senior High School in 1952.

Louis was drafted into the Navy in December 1955. He served as a Boiler Tender on the USS Bayfield (APA 33)  in Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Okinawa and Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged in 1957.

On December 1st of that same year, Louis married Beverly Harklau.  They raised their family and farmed in the Knierim area. In 1982 Louis retired from farming and began working for German Mutual Insurance as a sales representative.  In 1985 he also began to work at New Cooperative Elevator in Knierim and retired on December 31, 2001.

Louis suffered many challenges in his life including the loss of his mother to cancer at the age of 10, falling off a grain car in 1992 and spending the next year in hospitals, therapy and recovery and in 2005 being diagnosed with stage 4, Large B Cell Lymphoma for which he received chemotherapy until January 2006 after which he made a full recovery.  His fighting spirit stayed with him until the end.

Louis served on many Boards in the area.  He served as President of the Calhoun County Cattlemen’s Board for 6 years, Secretary of the Knierim Coop Elevator Board for 11 years, he was a board member of both the German Mutual Insurance Board and the Manson School Board;  he also served as President, Elder and Treasurer of the Trinity Lutheran Church Council.

Louie enjoyed traveling, playing cribbage, fishing, gardening and putting together puzzles.

Louis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bev, children Terry (Michelle) Busse, Humboldt, Brian (SaraLee) Busse, Humboldt, Dawn Busse, Manson, Sherri (Shawn) Barnhart, Arizona, Sandra (Jim) VanScoy, Rockwell City, Todd (Mindy) Busse, Otho, 12 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, and brother Lyle (Delores) Busse, Fort Dodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernhard and Irmgard Busse.

Louis’s life will be celebrated and he will be laid to rest at a private family service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Knierim with interment at the church cemetery.

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