Wanda L. Busen

1929 - 2016

MOUNT STERLING - Wanda L. Busen, 86, rejoined her loved ones in heaven at 10:54 p.m. March 10, 2016, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

Wanda was born May 5, 1929, in Schuyler County, the third of four daughters born to Loa Eldon and Hazel Clara (Derry) Mitchell. She attended Kinderhook School in Schuyler County, until her family moved to Cooperstown in 1938. She attended Barton School and graduated from the 8th grade in 1942. Wanda's father passed away when she was a sophomore in high school, leaving her mother and the young Mitchell girls to help their mother on the farm.

She attended Mount Sterling High School, graduating with the Class of 1946.

She married James A. Busen on Jan. 17, 1948 at St. Joseph's Rectory in Mount Sterling. To this union was born eight children - four boys and four girls.

In 1966, Wanda was elected sheriff of Brown County, succeeding her husband Jim, who now became her chief deputy. Wanda was the first female sheriff in the nation to be elected in her own right. Others had been appointed to finish out a term, but she was the first to be elected by ballot. She and Jim served the County until 1970 and then returned to private life.

Wanda will always be known as a hard worker and was a familiar face at many stores around town over the years. Most recently she worked at the Brown County Public Library, retiring in 2013 after nearly 20 years of service.

She was a member of the Mount Sterling American Legion Auxiliary Unit 374 for over 46 years. She was a Gold Star Mother, having lost her son during his service in Vietnam. She served for many years on the board of directors for the Mount Sterling Catholic Cemetery, including during the completion of the Veterans Memorial at the cemetery in 1987. Wanda enjoyed history and genealogy and was a member of the Brown County Historical Society. She always enjoyed working at the Depot Museum during the fair. Wanda was always proud of being a regular blood and platelet donor for the Red Cross. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

She enjoyed walking and was a familiar sight on her route from home to the library. She loved collecting blue glass and bird houses and for a time, she crafted wicker baskets, which her family treasures. She loved to decorate her home for Christmas and her front porch was always decorated for the various seasons. She took pride in tending to the gravesites of her loved ones.

Wanda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim, in 1980; as well as her sons, James Loa "Butch" Busen in Vietnam in 1969, and Ronald Allen Busen in January of this year. Also preceding her was a grandson, George Loa Busen, in 1997; and a son-in-law, Jeff Markert in 2003. Wanda was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having lost her parents and three sisters, Erma G. Logsdon, Clara B. Kunkel and Betty L. Root.

She is survived by her children, Janet (Gary) Martin and Charlotte Markert, all of Mount Sterling, Monte (Nancy) Busen of Tampa, Florida, Jerry Busen of Mount Sterling, Barb (Richard) Childers of Versailles, and Becky (Matt) Long of Camp Point; a daughter-in-law, Michele Busen of Nashville, Tennessee; and a sister-in-law, Elinor Davis of Mount Sterling; 12 grandchildren, Jason, Scott and Lee Markert, Kelly Garthaus, Jessica Golitko, Jamie Traeder, Jared and Justin Busen, Karla Metz, Renee Grady, Bryce and Marlee Long; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Sterling Catholic Cemetery, with Father Steve Thompson officiating. Following the services at the cemetery, a celebration of life gathering will be held at the K of C Hall in Mount Sterling.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Mount Sterling Catholic Cemetery and be left at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling or mailed to the Mount Sterling Catholic Cemetery at P. O. Box 252, Mount Sterling, IL 62353.

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

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.