George E. Busse 1929 ~ 2010

GEORGE ERNEST BUSSE was born on August 16, 1929, to Elmer Ernest and Susie Mae (Phipps) Busse at the family farm south of Decatur.  George was baptized into the Lutheran faith as an infant.  He attended Busse School District 10 and graduated from Decatur High School in 1946.  Following graduation, he began farming with his father.

On March 24, 1951, George married Leota Griebe in Greeley, Colorado.  Shortly after, George enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War.  Upon being discharged, George returned to farming and worked part-time for the ASCS office.  They retired from farming in 2000 when he and Leota moved to Decatur.  He also enjoyed working on the Decatur Toll Bridge as a toll-taker for seven years where he enjoyed meeting and greeting all of the people.  

George and Leota were blessed with three daughters -- Karen, Peggy and Jeanie.

George was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  Throughout the years, he served on many boards which included the Trinity Lutheran Church, District 10 School, Burt County Drainage District and State Veterans Fund.  He was a member of the VFW and American Legion Post 215.

George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and a man of great faith.  He enjoyed family, friends and traveling.  He was a gentle man who will be missed by many.

George entered into eternal rest on October 15, 2010, at his home following a lengthy illness.

George was preceded in death by his parents; brother Charles; brothers-in-law, Frank, Joe, Paul and Skippy Griebe, Harold King; sisters-in law, Donna King, Gitta Griebe and great-grandson Garrett Hartman.

George is survived by his wife, Leota of Decatur; three daughters and their spouses, Karen and Marty Worley of Omaha, Peggy and Darien Haeffner of Decatur and Jeanie and Ron Carson of Elkhorn; eight grandchildren and their spouses -- Chris and Stephanie Worley, Cami and Kurt Hartman, Jill and Travis Hasenkamp, Leslie and Matt Timm, Stacy and Curt Koehler, Chelsie, Madison and Grant Carson; 10 great grandchildren;  brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dick and Bonnie Griebe, Betty Griebe, Roxie Griebe, Ilona Griebe, and Vivian Busse; many nieces, nephews, family and special friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, October 18, 2010, 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur.

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur with Military Honors by VFW Gleason-Rogers Post No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215.

VISITATION: Sunday, October 17, 2010, 2 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 - 7 p.m. with a
6 p.m. Celebration of Life service all at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation Monday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS: To The Family