Charles H.W. Busse

SIOUX CITY -- Charles H.W. Busse, 84, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital, surrounded by his loving family, after a lengthy illness with colorectal cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. Burial will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hillcrest Cemetery at Decatur, Neb., with military honors presented by American Legion Post 215 of Decatur. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 1801 Morningside Ave. Online condolences may be sent to www.christysmith.com .

Charles H.W. Busse was born Dec. 28, 1924, to Elmer E. and Susie Mae (Phipps) Busse in Decatur, Neb. He graduated from Decatur High School with the class of 1942. Charles served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. While in the service, he was stationed in Washington, D.C., and served with the 250th Special M.P. Company Ceremonial Detachment. He was a member of the honor guard for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and served within the White House as a guard. Charles was one of the World War II veterans who made the trip to Washington, D.C., aboard the first Siouxland Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial.

On Jan. 21, 1949, Charles and Vivian Eastberg were married in the First Baptist Church in Oakland, Neb. The couple made their home in Omaha, Neb., and in 1956, moved to Sioux City. Charles worked for Mobil Oil as a pipeline operator for 32 years, retiring in 1982. Charles was a part-time driver for Arrow Stage Lines for 31 years. The couple operated Tour with the Busse's for 29 years, showing people the beauty of Canada and the U.S.A. The couple spent their winters in Lakeland, Fla., for the last 20 years.

Charles was a member of and active in Morningside Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed traveling, camping and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He liked to play cards and enjoyed visiting with people and helping others plan their travel and vacations.

Surviving Charles are his wife of 60 years, Vivian of Sioux City; sons, Randall and wife, Patricia of Omaha, Danny L. and wife, Mary Jo of Norfolk, Neb.; a daughter, Connie Jean and husband, John Sponder of Sioux City; grandchildren, Regina K. and husband, Dan Dush of Columbus, Neb., Matthew C. and wife, Jeanine Busse of Phoenix, Ariz., Bobbie Jo and husband, Tim Gregoire of Harrisburg, S.D., Carolyn J. and husband, Marshall Norton of Tucson, Ariz., Jonathan D. and wife, Kristin Busse of Omaha, Kristi Jo Busse of Spencer, Iowa, John William Sponder of Sioux City, and Jeff S. Sponder of Sioux City; nine great-grandchildren, Ethan, Emma, Carlie, Carter, Carson, Adam, Ashley, Clyde and Ayden; and a brother, George and wife, Leota Busse of Decatur, Neb. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends survive Charles.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Charles' grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Taylor, William "Bill" Hall, Sidney Hoover, Kevin Swaney, Morrie Schenkelberg, Dean Coles, Robert Baker, Gene Slack, Don Kramper, LeRoy Eastberg, Roy Smith, Ron Crocker, Gene Yarger and Ron Eastberg.

Memorials may be directed to Morningside Presbyterian Church and/or Hospice of Siouxland.