James “Jim” Busch

General Information
Name: James “Jim Busch
Date of Birth: July 15, 1936
Date of Death: August 12, 2012

Jim’s Life Story
James “Jim” Busch

Jim Busch was born on July 15, 1936 in Jordan to parents John “Lefty” and Rose (Schommer) Busch. He was the sixth of eight children. During his school days he enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball. Jim was a lifelong resident of Jordan.

Jim proudly served in the United States Army following the Korean War. He was a former volunteer for the Jordan military honor guard.

One evening at a dance at the New Prague Ballroom he met Rosemary Tikalsky, which would forever change his life. After a year and a half of courtship, they were married on New Year’s Eve day, 1960 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. They were blessed with five children, Jean, Margaret, Connie, James and Daniel.

Jim’s career included managing the Farm Bureau in Jordan, then owned and operated the Busch Farm Store in Jordan. His employment continued working in production at International Milling in New Prague. Following retirement, he was a supervisor at Mystic Lake for their parking lot security department.

Sports were a big part of Jim’s life. He threw two perfect games (10 years apart) for the Marystown baseball team. As time went on, Jim turned to softball where he played and managed the Busch Farm Store team. In his later years, he turned to deer hunting – – oh, he never deer hunted, but the guys needed a fourth person for cards, which also made him head chef of the deer camp.

He enjoyed playing cards, planting flowers, mowing grass to perfection, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, nickel poker at Mystic Lake, traveling up north and in his later years, golfing with his grandkids and the Wednesday Men’s Senior League. His biggest joys were attending his grandchildren’s activities and Sunday dinners with all of his family.

One of Jim’s loves was music. In his childhood days, while attending St. John’s Catholic School, he sang his first solo, Silent Night, at a Christmas performance. This would lead to a life full of music that included singing at all of his children’s weddings and some of his grandchildren’s marriages. Jim was passionate about his music and was highlighted each Sunday, as he looked forward to singing with the church choir where he was a lifelong member.

At the age of 76, Jim passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family in the morning hours of Sunday, August 12, 2012.

Jim will be deeply missed by his wife of 51+ years, Rosemary Busch; children, Jean (Pete) Link of Shakopee, Margaret (Dennis) Hennen of Jordan, Connie (Mark) Gill of New Prague, James (Jennifer) Busch of New Prague, Daniel (Jolene) Busch of New Prague; grandchildren James (Jessica) Link, Ryan Link, Christine (Jeff) Lucas, Laura (special friend, Kyle Theis) Hennen, Lindsey Hennen, Adam Gill, Kayla (special friend, Mike Bartusek) Gill, Luke Busch, Sarah Busch, Claire Busch, Audrey Busch, Will Busch, Erin Busch; great-granddaughter, Leah Lucas; sisters, Corinne Welch of Rochester, MN, Gloria (Butch) Mamer of Jordan; brother, Vernon

“Porky” (Kathryn) Busch of Shakopee; sisters in law, Mary Jane Busch of Chaska, Mamie Busch of Jordan; many nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John “Lefty” and Rose (Schommer) Busch; siblings, Donald (Mary Lou) Busch, Roman (Frieda) Busch, Gerald Busch, Roger Busch; brother in law, Russ Welch.

Jim’s pallbearers will be James Link, Ryan Link, Adam Gill, Luke Busch, Will Busch, and Jeff Lucas.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 3-8 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the Mass at church on Thursday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 11 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will officiate. Jim will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, Jordan with full military honors provided by the Jordan Volunteer Rifle Squad.

The Busch family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel.