Lisa,
I'm hoping you are finding comfort knowing your father lived a life devoted to his faith, family, and community. During high school anytime we would hangout at your house your dad and mom were so kind. Several years after I graduated from Mt. Mercy College [University] I learned about their very generous support of The Busse Library. What a beautiful place that I enjoyed visiting while I lived nearby. I miss going there now that I live in AZ because every time that I'd visit a smile would come across my face as I knew who Lavern and Audrey Busse were, thanks to my friendship with you.
Take care and may your fond memories of your father keep your heart warm. Ann Van Nest
Ann Van Nest
October 2, 2026
I enjoyed very much working as an advisor to Lavern and his family during my career. I remember him as smart, funny and kind which is a wonderful combination in any human. The community has benefited greatly from his generosity. Audrey and the whole family have my sympathy on his passing.
Dick George
October 2, 2026
Audrey and family, you have our sincere sympathy and prayers in the passing of your beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather. Audrey and Lavern have held a special place in my heart, they were there for me and my late husband Rick when he was in the hospital in Phoenix. They were indeed our guardian angels! They were friends from church at Ascension in Marion as well. Lavern was such a kind person and always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed by all who knew him. God Bless you all. Glen and Nancy
Glen and Nancy Hankemeier
October 1, 2026
Busse family….so sorry to hear of Lavern’s passing…I played softball with Lavern for many years…he was always such a positive and energetic person…loved his energy and love of life!! He will be missed…
Mitch Travis
Mitch Travis
October 1, 2026
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Lavern. I worked with Lavern at Mutual Fire and Auto as an adjuster a d Lavern and I would go out to lunch everyday I was in town. I also knew Lavern prior to that as I also worked at North Central Adjustment Company. I always liked Lavern and I am sure he will be mixed by family and friends.
Greg Lynch
October 1, 2026
Lavern was one of my Mom's first bosses at Mutual Fire and Auto. She became a widow at the age of 37 with fours daughters to raise. Lavern gave her that first job when she needed to work to support us all. She ended up working there over 30 years and retired from there. Lavern kept in touch with our family over the years. I looked forward to seeing him when he would be on the Mount Mercy campus and as fate would have it, I work in the Busse Library! I last saw him when he came to my mom's celebration of life in 2007.
Sending sympathies to his family. He will be missed. Thank you for sharing him with all of us lucky enough to know him.
Connie Rouse Snitker
October 1, 2026
So very sorry to learn of Lavern’s passing. What a kind,thoughtful and generous man he was. Always had a smile. Lavern and Audrey sat directly infront of us in the outdoor club section in Kinnick stadium since 2006. We celebrated the wins and agonized the losses together.
An interesting story: In 1992, Lavern, Dale Woods,Bob Bowlsby, Coach Hayden Fry and
I , were the first golfers to play on the new, yet to open, Brown Deer golf course in Coralville
God Bless Lavern!
Mark Jennings
September 30, 2026
Audrey and family,
Remembering Lavern and your family in prayer and with deep gratitude for the many kindnesses so generously shared with the Sisters of Mercy, Mt. Mercy University-Busse Library, Mercy Medical Center, HallMar Village Conservatory, our Cedar Rapids community and beyond. Many lives over the generations will be enriched and, in turn, empowered in service to humanity.
Sr. Maurita Soukup, RSM
September 30, 2026