Cover photo for John Busenga Jr.'s Obituary
John Busenga Jr. Profile Photo

John Busenga Jr.

July 28, 1920 — September 26, 2018

John Busenga Jr.

John Busenga Jr., age 98, of Herman, Minnesota passed away Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

A Celebration of John's life will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Herman, Minnesota from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The Herman American Legion Post #378 will perform Military Honors at 1:00 p.m. outside the Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, Herman. Honorary urn bearers will be John's grandchildren.

John Busenga Jr. was born July 28, 1920 in Herman, Minnesota to John and Rinnie (Wirtjes) Busenga Sr. He lived in the Herman/Norcross area where he attended school. At age fifteen, he went to Leech Lake and worked on the CC camps. He started working for the Great Northern Railroad in 1941, before being drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Poland. He served from August 20, 1942 until his honorable discharge on November 21, 1945. For his service he received the Good Conduct Medal.

In 1945 he returned to Minnesota and went back to work for the Great Northern Railroad. He worked there until he retired in 1981. In 1984 John started wintering in Arizona, which he did until 1999. He started golfing when he was 63, and played until he was 92. He entered the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton on January 15, 2015 and resided there until his death. He loved spending time with his sons and grandchildren.

John is survived by two sons: David (Kathi) Busenga and Jim (Shirley) Busenga both of Herman; three granddaughters: Lynn (Ryan) Watzke of Morris, MN; Amy (Brad) Zimmel of Morris, MN; and Jody (Jerrel) Olson of Wheaton; step-grandson Matthew (Brenda) Anderson of Otsego, MN; eight great-grandchildren: Carlie, Cole, Hallie, Hannah, Jace, Chloe, Jude and Zach; two step-great-grandchildren: Brady and Ryan; one brother Bob Busenga of Carson, CA; and special friend Sadie Berger.

John was preceded in death by his wife Josephine; an infant son and daughter; three brothers and one sister.


Celebration of Life

Bainbridge Funeral Home
  • Email Details
  • 108 Berlin Avenue
    Herman, MN 56248
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