Thomas M. Buss

Thomas M. Buss Sr., age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 17th from 4-8PM at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and again on Thursday, January 18th from 10-11AM, with services to follow at the funeral home.
Tom was born on November 12, 1931 to Walter and Marguerite Buss. He was one of seven siblings born in the town of Grant in Wisconsin. At the age of 22, Tom married the love of his life, Joyce Newman, on May 6th, 1953 in Iowa. On April 27th, 1958, he and Joyce moved into a little home, built by Tom himself, in Wisconsin Rapids. The two spent 64 wonderful years together building a life they loved.
Throughout his life, Tom spent his days filled with all things and people that truly brought him joy. In his early teen years, he dropped out of school after finishing the 8th grade to run his family's farm in Kellner, WI, after his father's passing. Later, at the age of 18, Tom joined the National Guard and served as part of the 32nd Red Arrow Division Artillery. He spent many days eating sickening amounts of chicken, while spending his nights sleeping on the hoods of military vehicles in the Mojave Desert to avoid being carried off by scorpions and snakes. He remained in the Guards through 1966, before eventually joining the Biron mill, where he was a track foreman for 43 years. Tom also joined the Town of Grand Rapids board in 1981 as a supervisor, before being elected as Town Chairman, a position he held for 22 years.
Aside from his work, Tom was also devoted to his faith. He was part of the Kellner Moravian church for many years and was part of the Board of Trustees and the choir. Tom had many favorite hymns, including "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden". As a handyman, Tom was incredibly instrumental in building a new church for the congregation, which is now known as The Church at Wazeecha.
Needless to say, Tom was devout to laying the bricks for everyone around him, whether they were family or not; he truly brought light to anyone he encountered. His family always thought of him as the "walking encyclopedia" with the perpetual knowledge that was readily available at the forefront of his mind. Anyone could ask Tom a question, thinking that he couldn't possibly have an answer, and yet, his responses never came up short. His endless facts, stories, and witty humor never ceased to grab and hold the attention of anyone around him. His family will truly miss their "Gramps" and everything that made him who he was.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2022, his parents, Walter and Marguerite, a son (Thomas "Mike" Junior), and a great-grandson, Landon Woodard. He is survived by one sibling, Barbara Kassien, and children: Rita (Ken) Chipman, Brenda, Jackie (Dave) Woodard, and Jewell (Jack) Ninneman. Tom is also survived by nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, who are due to arrive in February and June.
The family would like to extend their deepest thank-yous to both the Aspirus and Accent Hospice services for their care of Tom in his last months of life.