Russell Russ Busse

Russell ("Russ") Leland Busse, 88 years old, died peacefully on January __, 2021 at StoryPoint Senior Living in Rockford, MI from complications from multiple strokes. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend. Russ was born in Wilmington, IN on February 22, 1932, to parents Christian and Irene Busse. He was raised on a small family farm in Rising Sun, IN, along with his older brother Arnold (deceased) and younger sister Leitha (O'Day). Russ was a hard worker, whose positive outlook, enthusiasm for life, and pleasant nature drew many people to him. He always had a smile on his face and a kind thought in his heart. He attended/graduated from Rising Sun High School, where his athleticism earned him multiple basketball and track honors. He continued to run track as well as cross country while studying at Hanover College, where he earned an undergraduate degree in physical education. Several years later he continued his education and received his masters degree in education from the University of Illinois. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, when he was honorably discharged. Soon thereafter, Russ commenced his 36-year career as a high school math teacher. "Mr. Busse's" love of math and his enthusiasm and compassion for teaching students made him one of the most beloved and respected teachers at Rome City High School (IN), briefly, and at Elkhart (IN) Central HS, for most of his career. While at Elkhart Central, he also coached their HS boys tennis team for more than ten years. After his official "retirement" in 1992, he continued to tutor young students in math for several additional years. In 1957, Russ wed Grace (Wiese), to whom he was happily married for 55 years, until her death in 2012. They raised three children (survived by all): Gary (wife Kim, of Anchorage, AK), Gregory (wife Karen, of Kent City, MI), and Brenda (Konkle) (husband Curt Konkle, of Sparta, MI). Physical fitness was important to Russ throughout his life, and he enjoyed regular running and playing tennis during his younger years, which turned into daily brisk walks as he aged. He was a bundle of energy with long legs and so Grace, who was much shorter than he, had to work hard to keep up with him on walks (but she did so happily). Russ was an avid fisherman, and took his children on bass and bluegill fishing adventures. Later in life, Russ and Grace would travel annually to Rice Lakes in Canada with Russ's older brother Arnold (and wife, Doris), where they would slay hundreds of bluegills. Upon retirement, Grace and he caught the travel bug, and besides visiting Alaska several times to see their son, Gary, they visited scores of countries all over the world, most times accompanied by Arnold and Doris. Russ was a huge Cincinnati Reds baseball fan and he hardly ever missed a game on radio or TV and loved attending games in person. He was a deeply religious man ("all glory to God") and was an active and long-time member of Trinity Lutheran church in Elkhart, IN. The annual church fish fry (with the bluegills that they caught), hosted by the Busses at their beautiful home on the bank of the St. Joseph River in Bristol, IN was a much anticipated event by his many friends. He loved his home of 45 years on the river and truly enjoyed tending to the place (e.g., feeding the birds, mowing the lawn, blowing leaves), as he believed that all activity, no matter how small constituted exercise, which was important to him. The Busses enjoyed "everything in moderation" and Russ spent many hours captaining their pontoon boat on the river, sharing drinks (happy hour martinis, a time he referred to as "'tini time") and laughs with family and friends. For several years he was an avid home brewer of beer and a winemaker, and he produced some fine quality beverages. Now he gets to join Grace in heaven, where he believes they will "drink [good] beers with Jesus". Cheers, Russ! Russ is survived by his sister Leitha, his three children (listed above), eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. To honor the celebration of Russ's life under the current COVID-19 circumstances, no memorial events are scheduled other than for the immediate family. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids, MI ( faithhospicecare.org/donate ), who provided wonderful care to Russ and his family at the end of life.