On Thursday, April 21, 2022, we lost a great man, loving husband and father, a great storyteller, and a very creative and skilled farmer and woodworker. Earl Raymond Busse was born June 9, 1925, to Fred and Eleanor (Posorske) Busse. The Busse family owned the farm since 1903 and Earl has lived there his entire life. He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his own home with family present.

Earl had to walk across the road to attend the one room, West School, where he attended for 8 years then graduating from Omro High School in 1943.

On October 14, 1950, he married Iris Jean Redlin at Zion Lutheran Church. Earl farmed his entire life along with his wife Iris. Earl, his father, Fred, and two brothers, Lawrence and Art, formed a farming cooperation in 1959 before cooperation’s were known in this area. They had joined their farms together as one and had built one of the first milking parlors in Winnebago County. They worked together as a family. Busse descendants continue to operate the farm.

After retirement Earl enjoyed traveling and camping in many states in the U.S. He especially enjoyed visiting the national parks and along roads less traveled. On his eightieth birthday he enjoyed a family hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Earl liked to spend time at the family cottage on Lake Alpine, just to relax. He enjoyed woodworking and working on his wood lathe which he built himself. Earl has turned vases less than an inch high and some vases with over 300 separate pieces. He made several spinning wheels, musical instruments, and a scale size F-12 tractor with plow. He was always thinking about his next project. Earl said he would have to live to 150 to finish all the projects he had in his head. Earl was also instrumental in the annual Busse Farm Day his family celebrates each year in the family museum and one room school.

Earl and Iris have four children: Janis (Arthur) Eberhart, Joan (Ralph) Hunter, David (Judy) Busse, Lori (Alan) Giffey; six grandchildren, Bruce (Trisha) Hunter, Matthew (Emily) Hunter, Noah Busse, Shawn Eberhart, Jake Giffey, and Mariah (fiancé, Lloyd Sorrell) Giffey; four great-grandchildren, Anamarie Schell, Zachary Hunter, Dalton Hunter, and Wyatt Hunter; brother, Art Busse; brother-in-law, Donald Binder, all survive him.

Preceding Earl in death were his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Dolores Busse; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Robert Prochnow; sisters-in-law, Eileen Busse, June Redlin Binder, and Denese Redlin; and brother-in-law, Ira Redlin Jr.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church 5355 W. Cty Rd K, Oshkosh. A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the church, with a lunch to follow. Burial will be on Monday, April 25 at the Ellenwood Cemetery, Oshkosh. Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.