Surnames: Busse, Blazel, Voelker, Nimmemann, Parde, Heser, Hattlestad, Merrill, Lewandowski, Vetterkind, Kowalski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) January 7, 2009

Busse, Rick (26 April 1959 - 30 December 2008)

Rich Busse, 49, of Wausau, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2008, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

He was born April 26, 1959, in Marshfield, son of Ronald and Helen (Blazel) Busse of Dorchester, Wis. Rick attended Dorchester Elementary and Colby High School, then attended NTC and managed car parts stores in the area. Later, he decided to follow his dream to become a teacher and attended UW-Stout majoring in Tech Ed. He taught at Columbus, Bowler and Edgar High Schools. Most recently he was teaching at Pacelli High School in Stevens Point. It was here at Pacelli where he found his greatest joy in teaching. He truly loved teaching and considered his students "his kids." Rick also worked part-time at Auto Zone until the time of his death.

On July 2, 2005, he married the love of his life Susan Voelker of Thorp at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. She survives. He is further survived by his parents, Ronald and Helen Busse, Dorchester; his siblings: Vicky (Duane Nimmemann, Ringle, Kathy (David) Parde, Weston, Randy (Sandy) Busse, Curtiss, Becky (Kenny) Heser, Medford, Sandi (Brad) Hattlestad, Mosinee, Greg Busse, Dorchester and Connie (Russ) Merrill, Pensacola, FL; his father and mother-in-law, Gib and Bette Voelker, Thorp; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Gil Voelker, Laurie (John) Lewandowski, Debbie (Roger) Vetterkind, Carolyn Voelker all of Thorp, Mike (Phyllis) Voelker, Eau Clarie, Chris (Amber) Voelker, Colby, Bill (Renee) Voelker, Mosinee and Karen (Ray) Vetterkind, Greenwood; and many other loving uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

Rick enjoyed cars, wheeling and dealing, e-bay hunts, but more than anything he loved teaching "his kids." Teaching was not a 9 to 5 job for Rick; he stayed until every lesson was perfected and every student’s question was answered. Many days he came home late because he wanted to fix a student’s car as he considered it to be unsafe for them to drive home. He was just beginning to learn to take time off to vacation with his wife. Rick touched every life he came across, always going out of his way for them.

The funeral Mass celebrating Rick’s life was at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2008 at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Janusz Kowalski presided. Friends called Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There was a Rosary service 4:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Aspirus Hospice Care Oncology Unity for their loving care and support for Rick and his family. Also a special thank you for the great care provided by Dr. Rezazadah and Dr. Gautam; during his long battle with cancer.

In lieu of flowers, Rick requested that a fund be established for a scholarship for his students pursuing a technical education field.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.