Charles Louis Busch

1936 - 2023

Charles Louis Busch

March 5, 1936 – Dec. 21, 2023

MADISON - Charles Louis Busch, age 87, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on March 5, 1936, in Madison, Wis., the son of Henry and Margaret (Imhoff) Busch.

Charles graduated from Middleton High School in 1954, after having played on the Middleton High School championship football team of 1953-54. He married Mary Ryan on June 29, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Madison.

Charles served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1953-1961. He enjoyed a career spanning over 30 years of service in the Madison Fire Department from his start in 1960 until his retirement as a captain in 1991. His first assignment was at Fire Station #9, but he spent most of his career at Fire Station #1. He organized the Retired Madison Firefighters golf outing for over 20 years.

Charlie loved golf, the Packers, hunting and fishing with his wife, Mary, at their cottage on Grindstone Lake near Hayward, Wis. He spent many happy hours during the winters in Florida playing golf and cooking out. He was an expert and a historian on Winchester and antique firearms and ammunition. He was also a lifetime member of the Catholic Church.

Charles is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Henry "Hank" (Holly) Busch and William "Bill" (Jodie) Busch; daughter, Margaret "Peggy" (Joe) Lipski; grandchildren, Jessica (Robin) Brockner, Christopher Busch, Kyle (Julia) Busch, Amy (Aaron) Blawusch, Adam (Patricia) Lipski, Andrew (Corie) Lipski and Austin (Mckenna) Lipski; and great-grandchildren, Wesley, Rory, Kennedy, Anderson, Brody, Grayson, Leo and Isaac. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Busch; brother, Robert Busch; and Tom Busch and Lynn Noltner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 12 noon on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, with Father Michael Wanta presiding. Burial will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Charlie's name to Tunnel to Towers and St. Vincent DePaul. His generosity extended far beyond these through anonymous gifts and countless hours visiting and transporting sick friends. Your greatest memorial would be to pick up that baton.

A special thank you to St. Mary's comfort team for their excellent care of Charlie. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761