Edna Louise Busen

Edna Louise Busen, age 97, of Timewell, Illinois passed on to her heavenly home at 12:25 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021 in the Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rushville, Illinois.

She was born in Lee Township in Brown County, Illinois on August 2, 1923 the daughter of Earl and Mary (McCaskill) Knight. 

Louise graduated from Mt. Sterling High School with the class of 1941.  She received her teaching certificate in 1943 and returned to college in 1976 to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University. 

Louise married Lewis Herbert Busen on February 13, 1945 and he preceded her in death on January 11, 1991.  During their 45 year marriage they made their home on the family farm in Timewell, Illinois. 

Louise was a teacher and her specialty was Language Arts.  She taught at Buckhorn Grade School for 1 year, Lester Grade School for 1 year, North Grade School for 17 years, and culminated her teaching career at Brown County High School, where she taught for two years.  In her retirement she did substitute teaching, and worked as an Office Manager for 10 years at the Snyder-Vaughn Haven Nursing Home in Rushville, Illinois. 

Louise was an active member of the Brown County Education Association, the Illinois Education and National Education Associations, the Sigma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher’s Honor Society for Women Educators, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Schuyler-Brown Retired Teachers Association, many in which she served either as an officer or committee member.  Additionally she was a member of the Brown County Historical Society, the Brown County Chapter of American Cancer Society, and the Timewell Unit of Brown County Homemakers.  Louise remained a devoted member of the Timewell Baptist Church where she previously served in numerous capacities including being an active member of The American Baptist Missionary Society and hosting the Timewell Baptist Ladies Retreats at the Family Cabin.  

Earlier in life she worked as a Youth Advisor for the University of Illinois Extension which provided the opportunity to host a foreign exchange student, Con Denhartog from Germany.  She along with her husband, Herbert, owned and operated Busen’s Campsite at Hilandview Farm, Timewell, Illinois.  In 1973, Herbert and Louise were awarded the Brown County Conservation Farm Family of the Year.    

In 1974 Louise received the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America Award. 

Two honors were bestowed on her in 1982 by the Brown County High School students.  She was named Grand Marshall of the Homecoming Parade, and was the guest speaker for the graduating Senior Class. 

Louise loved the written word.  She enjoyed collecting, reading, and sharing good selections of reading material, especially poetry.  She loved to write and kept journals for many years.  Her documentation was impeccable and to prove that point, she has beautiful scrapbooks documenting every life event.  She was a collector of bells and poetry, but her greatest joy was the time spent with her friends and family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

Louise is survived by her three children, Dianne (John) Snyder of Rushville, Illinois; Patricia (Jim) Henry of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; and Roger (Caren) Busen of Timewell, Illinois.  Her six grandchildren include Aaron Snyder and Gregg Snyder both of Rushville, Illinois; Brian (Kerry) Henry of Winchester, Illinois; Brad (Abby) Henry of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; Andrew (Cassie) Busen of Linn Creek, Missouri; and Evan Busen of Osage Beach, Missouri.  Her 8 Great-grandchildren, that lovingly called her GG, include Jocelyn, Micah, and Jonah Henry all of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; Eden Henry of Winchester, Illinois; and Brynlee, Saylah, and Aftyn Busen of Linn Creek, Missouri; 1 brother, Clark Knight of Timewell, Illinois and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister (Lucille Rankin Thomas); a son-in-law (John Snyder); two brothers-in-law (Eldon Rankin); (Donald Thomas); and one sister-in-law (Mary Ann Knight).

We know that Louise deserves a beautiful tribute and understand that under normal circumstances many friends would love to attend.  But sadly due to the current health situation and under the direction of the local health department, the services are to be conducted with only immediate family members in attendance. 

Private burial will follow in the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery. 

Friends are encouraged to watch Louise’s  services streaming live at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 7, 2021 on the funeral home website at hendrickerfuneralhome.com.  

We also encourage the community to leave a condolence or remembrance on the website for the family.  

There will be an informal visitation without the family present from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.  

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to the Brown County Historical Society, the Brown County Against Cancer, or the Timewell Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to the Hendricker Funeral Home, 406 South Capitol Avenue, Mt. Sterling, Illinois 62353.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

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