General Information
Full Name: Delbert Busse
Date of Birth: March 3, 1916
Date of Death: October 25, 2012
Delbert’s life story
Delbert C. Busse
On Friday, March 3, 1916 in Prior Lake, MN, Delbert Carl was born to parents George H and Otille E (Dorn) Busse. The oldest of eight children, Delbert grew up on the many family farms his dad rented in Scott, Dakota, and Carver Counties. He attended school through the eighth grade.
For most of Delbert’s life, he was an auto mechanic. Starting out in a garage on Lyndale Avenue, he later worked for Melvin Borchardt at the Ford Dealership in Prior Lake. Entering the business world as an owner/operator, Delbert served the Prior Lake community for over 20 years with his shop called Standard Brake and Tune Up. After selling the business, he then worked for Toro Company as a painter, until retiring in 1976.
Proudly serving during World War II, Delbert was in the Third Armored Division Spearhead for the United States Army. He received many medals along the way from the European Theater. Before shipping out overseas, Delbert married Rosalia Oldenburg on February 17, 1943 at the military base in Indian Town Gap in Pennsylvania. Returning from the war, they made their lifelong home in Prior Lake. They were blessed with four children, Allen, Sharon, Barbara and Kevin.
An active member of the community, Delbert served on the Prior Lake Fire Department from 1958 until retiring in 1976. Working his way up the ranks, Delbert was also the fire chief from 1967-1975.Serving his church of St. Paul’s Lutheran, Delbert taught Sunday school and served on the cemetery board for decades. He was also a member of the Prior Lake V.F.W.
“It’s said a smile is good medicine.” That was Delbert’s reasoning for sharing of his 2000 plus collection of stories and jokes, with family and friends, at birthdays, anniversaries and even when he paid his bills. This gesture was Delbert’s hope to have brightened the day and make you smile. Each Christmas he would receive stamps and envelopes as gifts, just to assure the continuation of this tradition.
A rock hound, Delbert enjoyed the hunt for a good agate to polish up and place in his collection. Enjoying drawing and painting, Delbert had either a pencil or brush in his hand working on surfaces such as mailing envelopes, canvas, garage doors and even basement doors at the family home. Musically inclined, he could pick up any type of any instrument and without music lessons could play any song by ear. Delbert enjoyed bird watching and working in his flower garden and even enjoyed sharing the wealth of the flowers and plants with others.
A stubborn German, but thrifty by nature, Delbert was artistic, loving and thoughtful, with a wealth of mechanical knowledge. The late evening of Thursday, October 25, 2012 at Friendship Manor Nursing Home in Shakopee, Delbert quietly passed away peacefully at the age of 96.
Forever missed and truly loved by wife of almost 70 years, Rosalia; children, Allen (Linda) Busse of Jordan, Sharon Adelmann of Belle Plaine, Barbara Busse of Prior Lake and Kevin Busse of Prior Lake; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Joanne, Jennifer, Joseph, Julie, Jerry, Jessie, Jodi and Jean; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Hazel Melby of Rice, Jeanette Busse of Shakopee, Phyllis Nelson of Lonsdale, Shirley (Herman) Nelson of St. Paul; other loving relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by Delbert’s son-in-law, Leo R. Adelmann; parents; brothers, Kenneth Busse, Elmer (Caroline) Busse and sister, Pearl Law. Pall bearers for Delbert will be Darrell Melby, Glenn Melby, David Nelson, Daniel Nelson, Darwin Nelson, Ronald Nelson, Brian Neil, and Robert Neil.
The visitation for Delbert will be on Monday, October 29 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, October 30 at 11 am, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5634 Luther Road, Prior Lake. Delbert will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Prior Lake, MN
Visitation
When: Monday, Oct 29th, 4 till 7 PM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant St. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Service Information
When: Tuesday, Oct 30, 11:00 AM
Location: St. Pauls Lutheran Church
Address: 5634 Luther Road Southeast
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment Information
Location: St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery
Address: Prior Lake, MN
