10/20/2020 9:31:00 AM Funeral service for Barbara Bussell to be held Oct. 22 at SUMC
The funeral service for Barbara Jean Bussell, 88, of rural Stewartville, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at Stewartville United Methodist Church with Pastor Laura Nordstrom officiating. A time of visitation will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service at the church.
Social distancing and mask protocols are required within the church and other public spaces.
Following the service, a private family interment will occur at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.
Mrs. Bussell, died on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 of natural causes. A special thank you to the terrific staff at the Stewartville Care Center, where Barb resided since June of 2019. Thank you also to Seasons Hospice staff and her care manager, Sara Jacobsen, for their kindness and compassion.
Barbara Jean Drake was born March 8, 1932 in Rochester, to Ernest and Alice Drake. Barbara grew up in Rochester, graduating from Rochester High School in 1951.
Barbara was married to Minar Lewis Bussell on Dec. 10, 1950 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Following their marriage, the couple lived in rural Stewartville, where they raised their five children and continued to make their home on the Bussell family farm. Barbara was a farmwife and homemaker and was employed at Possibilities of Southern Minnesota in Rochester for 18 1/2 years until her retirement. Barbara was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Stewartville and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was the organizer for her Rochester High School Class of 1951 monthly lunches. She enjoyed crafts, particularly ceramics, and taught a ceramics class from her home for a number of years. She enjoyed visiting with friends and loved time spent with family.
Fond memories of Barbara should be put in writing and will be passed on to Pastor Laura for reading during the service.
Barbara is survived by two daughters and three sons, Wes (Donna) Bussell of Eyota, Mary Tostenson of St Charles, Dennis (Angie) Bussell of Minnetonka, Carol (Mark) Freeman of Chicago, Illinois, and Tom (Diane) Bussell of rural Rock Dell; 12 grandchildren, Brent Bussell, Erin (Bruce) Guenther, Amanda (Adam) Rabe, Jeffrey Tostenson, Gabriel (Myshanda) Bussell, Nick (fiancé Allea) Bussell, Shaheen (Michael) Christie, Michael (Emily) Bussell, Graham Bussell, Grant Bussell, Derek Bussell and Meagan Bussell; 13 great-grandchildren, Landon, Alexis, and Kolton Guenther; Frank Dreier; Talen, Leni and Nori Rabe, Christopher Bussell, Dominick Bussell, Emerson and Roman Christie and Erin and Jordyn Miller; her sister, Sharon (Ron) Kelly of Alaska; her brother, Edward Drake (and friend Kim Miller) of Owatonna; and nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years , Minar, and her parents.
Minar farmed for many years and was employed by Foster Electric Co. in Rochester for 60 years, where he was known as "Buster." Mr. Bussell passed on April 15, 2017. Minar also earned a 60 year pin for his Masons membership.
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Barbara are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
Article Comment Submission Form
Please feel free to submit your comments. You may remain anonymous. Article comments are not posted immediately to the Web site. Each submission must be approved by the Web site editor, who may edit content for appropriateness. There may be a delay of 24-48 hours for any submission while the web site editor reviews and approves it.
Note: All information on this form is required. Your telephone number is for our use only, and will not be attached to your comment.
