Ruth Margaret Busse was born June 8, 1929, in Swift County to Charles and Ida (Bjornjeld) Olson. She was baptized at Big Bend Lutheran Church, and confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church on May 23, 1943. Ruth graduated from Appleton High School in 1947.Before her marriage Ruth lived on a farm east of Appleton, and homes in Benson, Hagen, Milan, and Appleton. November 11, 1950, she was married to Walter C. Busse at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton. She worked as a bank teller and secretary, and was a partner in the family seed business. Her foremost was being a wife, mother, and homemaker to her family. They lived on the Busse family farm until retiring to Appleton in 1990. As hobbies Ruth enjoyed handwork, crocheting, sewing, reading, vegetable and flower gardening, cooking, baking, canning and freezing food. She enjoyed her Bridge and Whist card clubs. She also liked traveling in her retirement years. She was involved with her children's activities through the years. In the past she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible Township. Presently she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church were she was active with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Ruth was a caring, wonderful mother. She was patient, forgiving, perseverant, had great personal strength, and always reflected her faith in Christ.Ruth died on Thursday, March 10th, at Appleton Area Health Services. She had attained 81 years, 9 months, and 2 days of age.She is survived by six children: James (Julie) Busse of Appleton, Marcia (Martin) Giese of Park Rapids, Emilie Brustuen of Alberta, Rebecca (Gregory) Stuedemann of Plato, Elizabeth (Stanley) Knaus of Solomon, KS, and Karen (Steven) Meyer of Appleton; 19 grandchildren: Chandra Busse, Tyler Busse, Anna (Shane) Long, Sarah (Jeff) Donatelle, Rachel Giese, David Giese, Stefan Brustuen, Leif Brustuen, Jacquelyn Brustuen, Geoffrey Brustuen, Sean Brustuen, Paul Petrick, Erin (Ben) Honebrink, Nathan Knaus (fiancé Mary Anne Fombu), Laura Knaus, Angela Moe, Jessica Moe, Paige Meyer, and Brandi Meyer; four great-grandchildren: Cole Petrick, Austin Long, Jason Long, and Jaida Giese; brother, Robert (Doryce) Olson of Sierra Vista, AZ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Mary Jane Busse, of White Bear Lake; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Walter, on July 12, 2008.
