Harriett Busen

Harriett Ruth Busen, age 86 of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Illinois. 

She was born December 16, 1936 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois the daughter of Lloyd Albert and Ruth Newell Smay.  She married Donald William Busen on October 11, 1974 in Jacksonville, Illinois and he preceded her in death on April 18, 2004.  

Harriett attended Brown County schools and Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  She retired from the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service after 23 years of service.   Harriett was a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 Auxiliary.  

Survivors include two daughters Terri Brauer of St. Louis, Missouri and Sandra Bullard (Harold) of Rushville, Illinois.  One step daughter Karen Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia.  Two step sons Ronald Busen of Jacksonville, Illinois and Tom Busen of Mendota, Illinois.  Four grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, and several step great grandchildren also survive along with two nieces and one nephew.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, one step daughter Lynda Wester and two brothers Stanley and Sidney Smay. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling with Rev. Steve Surratt officiating.  Those unable to attend are invited to watch Harriett’s service live on her obituary page of the funeral home website, hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

Burial will follow in the Hersman Cemetery. 

Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to Brown County Against Cancer or the Mt. Sterling First Christian Church.  

Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harriett Busen, please visit our floral store.