Memorial
Lavern Theodore Busse, 85, passed away on September 27, 2026, at HallMar Village, Marion, Iowa. Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery Funeral Home (4200 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, October 2. His funeral will be at Faith Life Church (8300 C Avenue NE, Marion, Iowa 52302) at 11am on Saturday, October 3.
A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on church website (www.faith-life.org) under the watch live tab starting at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 3rd.
Lavern was born at his parents’ home on December 23, 1940, and grew up on their farm northeast of Waverly, Iowa. He was raised on hard work. Prior to his senior year of high school, his father was killed in a car accident. Lavern became a farmer overnight, spending his senior year both completing high school and farming.
In 1960, Lavern married Audrey Kappmeyer of rural Tripoli, Iowa. Together, they continued farming and had three children: LoriAnn, Jeffrey, and Lisa. In 1965, he added John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo, Iowa, to his schedule. In 1969, he was laid off from Deere, subsequently leasing his farm to a neighboring farmer and becoming an insurance adjuster for North Central Adjustment Company in Waterloo, Iowa. When North Central opened an office in Cedar Rapids in 1970, Lavern moved his young family to Marion, Iowa. He eventually worked for Mutual Fire & Auto Insurance as an adjuster and claims manager.
Lavern helped found and began working for Teleconnect, Inc., in 1980. In 1988, Teleconnect merged with SoutherNet to form Telecom USA, the fourth-largest long-distance company in the country. MCI Communications purchased Telecom USA in 1990. He founded Busse Investments, Inc., in 1989 and worked there with his son, Jeff.
He was an avid softball player into his 40s, pitching or playing third base. His children were also active in sports, and he attended many games/meets to cheer them on.
Family was always important to him, so the family spent much time together with their church and, during the summers, boating, water skiing, and camping. He wanted his children to succeed and have good lives, so he was very present in their lives.
His love of sports led him to become an Iowa Hawkeye fan; he particularly loved football and men’s basketball.
Lavern and his wife purchased a home in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1987, which is where they spent their winters through the spring of 2025.
Giving back to the people of Iowa became a lifelong aspiration for Lavern and Audrey. To further that mission, they established the Busse Foundation, ensuring their commitment to serving others would continue for generations to come. Education, in particular, has always been a priority for them. This dedication is reflected in the countless scholarship opportunities they have provided over the decades, as well as their support of the Busse Library at Mount Mercy University and, most recently, the Busse Branch of the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
Lavern is survived by his wife of 66 years, Audrey; his daughter LoriAnn (Mark Stulik) Busse of Maricopa County, Arizona; his son Jeffrey (Michele) Busse of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and their daughters Anna Busse, Monica (Victoria) Rackley, and Grace (Joey Valery) Busse; and his daughter Lisa Carpentier of San Clemente, California, and her daughters Alexandra Carpentier, Devan (Matthew) Rexinger; and Marie-Josee Carpentier. He is also survived by his sister, Karla Davis, and lifelong friend and uncle (they are the same age and grew up together, less than a mile apart), Harlan Reuscher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Eileen Busse, and his brother, Larry Busse.
Special thanks to the staff of the skilled nursing center of HallMar Village, who provided thoughtful and gentle care to Lavern during his final illness.
In lieu of gifts, please make charitable donations in Lavern’s name to your charity of choice.