Benedict Raymond Busse

Obituary

Benedict Raymond Busse, 65 passed away peacefully on March 13, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born December 3, 1956, in Elmhurst, Illinois to Gladys (Lorenzen) and Benedict Busse. He was a twin and the eighth of ten children.

Ben graduated from Harvard High School in 1975. He was active in baseball, football, and wrestling and received all-conference awards in both football and wrestling. He was a member of the Harvard Fire Department for many years. He loved coaching little league baseball and women’s softball. Ben was also an avid dart player. Well known for his annual portrayal of Santa Claus for many area preschools and grade schools. The greatest joy of his life was his son Patrick and his stepchildren, Tim and Ericka. 

He was known as “Gentle Ben”. He never started a fight but at 6”4” he was always there to end it.

His last gift was cornea donation and donating his body to science.

He is survived by his son Sgt. Patrick Busse stationed in Germany, stepson Tim (Jessica) Bluhm, Delavan, WI, stepdaughter Ericka (Kyle) Book, Harvard, IL,  siblings, John Busse, Jackson, MO, James (Jan) Busse, Conroe, TX, Thomas (Jo Ann) Busse, West Bend, WI, Margaret Yoel, Rockford, IL, Patricia (Steve) Martin, Harvard, IL, Colleen (Russ) Burkart, Rockford, IL, his twin sister Dr. Kathleen (Dr. Doug) Grove, Jonesboro, IL, and Theresa Foss, Algonquin, IL. Also survived by 32 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary Busse.

Memorial service at a later date.

You cannot judge a man by how much he loves but by how much he is loved by others.