John Busch

John or “Doc” as he was also known lived in Stevens County his entire life. John was born on December 18, 1917 on a farm in rural Morris , MN . He was the youngest child born to Bernard and Bertha (Milkey) Busch. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. His mother passed away before he was one year old and John went to live with the Devereau family until he was 4 years old. He was reunited with his family and they moved to Hancock , MN where he attended the Hancock Public School for eight years. John’s family then returned to the family farm in rural Morris in 1931 where he then graduated from Alberta High School . He also attended the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris and studied pre-veterinary medicine at St. John’s University in Collegeville , MN .

In July 1942 Doc entered the United States Army, 124 ^th Cavalry Regiment and received a field commission as a Second Lieutenant while serving with the Medical Administrative Corps in the China-Burma-India theater. At the end of WWII, he was separated from the United States Army as a First Lieutenant.

After returning from the armed service, John enrolled in a special course in animal husbandry at Iowa State University in Ames , Iowa , and in the fall of 1947 he entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota . In June of 1951 John had the distinction of being a member of the first graduating class of Veterinary Medicine at the U of M. He proudly earned both a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of Minnesota .

While working on his post-secondary education, John married Helen (the love of his life) in August of 1949. Together they had six children.

In July 1951 John moved to Chokio to begin his veterinary practice with his wife Helen and son Mike. He traveled from farm to farm with his equipment in his car. In his general practice he treated all types of animals. Helen worked by his side as receptionist, office manager, nurse assistant and helped to dispense whatever medicines the client needed. In spring 1963 John purchased a two-way radio and a state-of-the-art climate controlled mobile clinic which had shelves for drugs, hot and cold water dispensers and a refrigerator.

Doc always said that if he could claim success in his profession, he would have to include his wife and six children. Some of the firsts in his practice included being the only licensed veterinarian to live in Chokio, owning the first mobile clinic in Stevens County , supervising the first confinement pig barn in Stevens County and treating the first carbon monoxide poisoning in a dairy herd. He retired from veterinary medicine in August, 1989.

John was an active member and avid supporter of the community. He enjoyed being a 50+ year member of the Chokio Volunteer Fire Department, as well as his numerous memberships and involvements with VFW, Chokio Research and Development, Chokio Commercial Club, AVMA, West Central AVMA, Stevens County Historical Society, Legion and Sons of Norway. Doc enjoyed serving as the Stevens County Fair Veterinarian as well as volunteering his time for the testing of animals for local 4-H clubs’ participation at fairs.

John was known to have many young visitors come to his home with animals such as birds, rabbits, etc., in need of Dr. Busch’s “fixing” or “healing.” Doc always stocked candy suckers for when the kids visited him and he enjoyed explaining to the children how he was able to help the animals.

His many other hobbies and pastimes included “mowing at the farm”, hunting, fishing, driving his John Deere tractors, “shoveling the snow “, playing cribbage and Tic with his family and friends, dancing , square dancing and traveling. Grandpa John enjoyed teaching the grandchildren how to play cribbage and Tic. He enjoyed judging and making engraved trophy plates for the “Busch” annual bocce ball and bean bag tournaments at the 4 ^th of July family get-togethers. He always had time to have a cup of coffee and visit. He was a generous, sincere, and kind man.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Henry, Joseph and Larry and his sister Agnes Busch Chamberlain and infant grandchildren Whitnee Busch and Peter Winkels.

John is survived by his wife Helen of 61 years; sons Michael (Joyce) of Plymouth, MN, Thomas (Sandra) of Owatonna, MN, Steven (Robin) of Lake Park, MN, and David (Amy) of Chanhassen; and daughters Barbara (Tom) Braatz of St. Cloud, MN, and Sheila (Russ) Winkels of Perham, MN. His grandchildren include: Erik (Katie) Busch, Kendra Busch, Aaron Busch, Matthew Busch, Sara Braatz, Zachary Braatz, Nicholas Winkels, Benjamin Winkels, Johanna Winkels, Noah Busch and Kate Busch and step-grandchild Cody (Sheree) Eilertson. He was blessed with great grandchildren Talon and Henry Busch and step-great grandchildren Alexandra and Aiden Eilertson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

John’s grandchildren will serve as his pallbearers. Memorials will be donated in John’s name to concerns dear to his heart: Stevens County Historical Society, Chokio Fire Department, Chokio First Responders, and Courage Cottage in Morris , MN .

Music provided by Joanne Foley, organist. Soloists are Tom and Pearl Horning. Lunch served in the parish hall. Pedersen Funeral Home of Morris is in charge of arrangements.