Gary Lee Buse

Gary Lee Buse, 69, of Lennox, SD, passed away on February 11, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary was born on July 22, 1954, to Walter and Elvina (Goeman) Buse. He grew up on the family farm outside of Marion, SD. After Gary graduated from Marion High School, he went on to study at Mitchell Tech and then began his career as a lineman with Turner Hutchison Electric in Marion, SD.

In 1977, he married Barb Hanssen and went on to have four children, Aaron, April, Ashley and Alex. He later worked for Northern States Power/Xcel Energy, which brought his family to Lennox, where they made their home. He enjoyed spending time farming with his dad and brothers in Marion.  In 2017, he retired from Xcel Energy and began to spend more time on the farm.

Gary was known for his story telling. Many of which came from time spent on the farm with his children and brothers.  Family get togethers are still spent reminiscing about all of the memories made in Marion. In recent years, his stories were told around the table at the local gas station with his coffee buddies.

Besides his love for farming, Gary also loved basketball and played for many years after high school. He coached his children and attended countless high school games where he and Barb once even earned title of “Fans of the Year”.  He attended many state tournaments and always had some helpful tips to shout out from the front row.

Gary’s pride and joy were his grandkids.  He lit up every time they were around. They loved playing with “Papa” and getting him to do anything they asked. They also knew that grandpa would buy them anything they wanted and took advantage of this at every store and gas station he entered with them. The grandkids are already missing the Sunday evenings that grandpa would take the family out for supper but are happy he is pain free in Heaven. 

 Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elvina Buse, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Calvin and Geraldine Hanssen, sister-in-law, Diane Hanssen and brother-in-law, Phil Crider. He is survived by his wife, Barb of Lennox, SD;  his children, Aaron (Bethany) Buse of San Antonio, TX, April Buse of Sioux Falls, SD, Ashley (Dustin) Sperlich of Lennox, SD, and Alex Buse of Sioux Falls, SD; his siblings, Carol (Bob) Woltjer of Crooks, SD, Duane Buse of Marion, SD, Dennis (Kayln) Buse of Bridgewater, SD; his in-laws, Sharon Crider of Sioux Falls, SD, Joyce (Bruce) Olson of Lennox, SD, Ron (Deb) Hanssen of Lennox, SD, and Rich Hanssen of Bridgewater, SD;  his grandchildren, Jaylen Sperlich, Beckley Sperlich, Hudson Buse and Tayten Sperlich; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. Family visitation will take place Wednesday, February 14,2024, from 4pm-6pm at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.