Birchard Buss

Birchard Rutherford Buss (Birch), age 98, of Owatonna, MN, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2016, at the District One Hospital in Faribault, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Claremont, with Rev. Jonathan Zielske, officiating. Interment will be in the Claremont Street Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault.

Birch was born on July 12, 1918, in Ravenna, NE, to Rutherford and Millie (Hanisch) Buss. He was raised and attended school in Ravenna. In those early years, he farmed with his family, worked as a rural postal deliverer, and would often wrestle world champion wrestler, John Pesek. Birch was united in marriage to Marie Schmale on July 27, 1941 in Ravenna. He served four years in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a radio operator. He worked for General Electric in the state of Washington, in the first nuclear plant. He then moved to Minnesota and farmed in Claremont, then moved to Big Sandy Lake, where he and Marie operated a dance hall, giving many polka bands a start, including the Chmielewski Band. Birch had a lengthy career as a carpenter, with some projects including the original Mayo building and IBM campus in Rochester, MN. He retired from Alvin E. Benike, Inc. He was also a member of the Carpentry Union. He and his brothers were also instrumental in building additions and projects at the Presbyterian Church of Claremont. He and Marie lived in Nebraska, Washington, and many places in Minnesota. They for many years wintered in Mesa, AZ, and would often travel to visit with many relatives and friends. While in Arizona, he and his wife were big supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Marie preceded him in death on February 25, 2003.

Birch lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed playing tennis, cards and board games, teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren dominoes, and dancing. In the late 1990s, he participated in the Senior Olympics, earning many medals. Later in life, he and his brother, Allen were privileged to be a part of the honor flight to Washington D.C. Birch took great joy in helping others. He often would share his carpentry talent and built many projects for others. Even into his 90s, he lived a very independent, vibrant life.

He is survived by his daughter, Connie Gray of Owatonna; four grandchildren, Eydie (Greg) Hauer of Owatonna, Janet Polley of Muscatine, Iowa, Teresa (Charlie) Crooks of Owatonna, and Andrew (Jeri) Gray of Jamestown, ND; 26 great grandchildren; 21 great great grandchildren; brother, Allen (Betty) Buss of Owatonna; sister-in-law, Bernice Buss of Wayzata, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; parents, Rutherford and Millie; brothers, Warren (Dorothy), Earl, and Donald (Ila); sister, Eleanor Buss; sister-in-law, Renee Buss; son-in-law, Jerome Gray; great grandson, Matthew Crooks; and great great granddaughter, Ava Liverseed.