Raymond "Ray" Busch

Raymond "Ray" Busch, age 84, of Prior Lake, MN, the Great Storyteller, shared his last story on March 30, 2025, with family at his side at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, in Shakopee, MN. He continues to write his new story now in Heaven.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 - 10:45 AM, all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Walker will preside, with grandchildren and great grandchildren as pallbearers. Ray will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Gracing this world on a very hot July 21st day in 1940, Raymond Albert was born to Eugene and Marie (Wagner) Busch. He was born and raised at the family home in New Market, MN. Ray loved living in New Market, this allowed him to help his dad run the family business, Busch’s General Store. As a young boy, Ray learned the value of hard work and community support, particularly through his church, St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Here, Ray served as an altar boy, rang the bells, and maintained the church heat by putting coal in the furnace. He even enjoyed times taking the nuns sledding.

Ray attended St. Nicholas Catholic School through the 8th Grade and continued his education at Nazareth Hall. After a few years, he decided to change his path and attend St. Thomas College earning a teaching degree. His first job in high school was at the Green Giant canning factory. After earning his teaching degree, Ray had a career spanning 35 years, teaching German, Latin, and English. Starting in the fall of 1963, he taught for one year in Lester Prairie, MN, before taking a position in Jordan, MN, where he worked for the next 34 years. Ray was constantly working. In the summer, he worked for Mosquito Control, the City of Prior Lake, and as a driver for the Prior Lake School System.

Ray’s best life was being a husband, father, grandpa and eventually a great grandpa. While a groomsman at his cousin’s wedding, Ray was introduced to the bride’s friend, Joan Marie Karl. Their love story began and on May 11, 1963, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Jordan, Ray and Joan started a new chapter in his story. They were blessed with three sons, Rick, Randy and Tim. As a family, they enjoyed their vacations in the Midwest area. Ray and Joan eventually bought a cabin on the lake in Monticello, MN. Summers were spent enjoying boating, fishing and being surrounded by his family.

As a father, Ray enjoyed participating in the Indian Guides program with his young sons. As they became adults, Ray was always lending a helping hand with their house projects. He relished being a grandpa and great grandpa. Ray loved watching their sporting events and school concerts. He even took his first flight at the age of 70 to watch his grandson, Derek, graduate from basic training. Ray also enjoyed watching sports and game shows on TV, completing word search and being outside.

Ray's welcoming demeanor will be remembered by family, friends, and former students. He enjoyed conversing, sharing stories, and telling jokes. Ray was known for being outgoing, caring, supportive, and kind.

To carry on Ray's legacy is his wife of 62 years, Joan; sons, Rick, Randy, and Tim (Dawn); grandchildren, Pat, Crystal (Andrew), Derek (Kelly), Matt (Larissa), Zach, Ryan, Katelyn, and Lacey; great-grandchildren, Jayze, Raymond, Gabby, Evelyn, Liam, and Tatum; and many friends, cousins, and other loving relatives.

Ray is greeted in heaven by his parents, Eugene and Marie; father and mother-in-law, Albert and Lucille Karl; brothers-in-law, Jim Karl and Pat (Steve) Clayton; and his cousin, Harold, who was like a brother to him.