Michael James BUSCH

February 7, 1945 – September 3, 2025

Michael James Busch was born at Fort George Wright's Army Hospital in Spokane, WA, to Dick Busch and Lena Orsi Busch. He grew up in the Spokane Valley and attended St. John Vianney Grade School, Gonzaga Prep (although he graduated from West Valley High School when he got tired of the daily drive to Prep and the late drive back home after sports). He went on to Gonzaga University, where he played baseball but took a short break after his sophomore year (four years in the Navy since it was the mid-'60s) and then came back to graduate. But his time in California led to meeting his wife, Marguerite Kuder. They both moved back to Spokane to marry, and it has been a wonderful 55 years.

Mike spent the majority of his working years helping manage the Hamer's Men Stores at the various Spokane locations and was frequently the model in their ads. He was an invaluable resource for Spokane men but more importantly for the wives who bought their clothes. When the last store closed in 2002, he retired.

Mike loved his family, his faith, and his friends. He was also very fond of golf, baseball, Gonzaga Basketball, the Mariners (some of the time), and MASH reruns. When his kids were growing up, he changed careers for a short time so he would have the flexibility to attend their activities. Then as long as he was able, he tried to attend his grandkids' events, usually sports of some kind, even if it meant watching from his car in a typically illegal parking spot.

Mike is survived by his wife, Marguerite; those who called him Dad: Kevin (Kira) Busch, Michelle (Phil) Green, Jeff (Annie) Busch, and Stephanie Busch (Aaron Finley); and those who called him Bompa: Nick, Emily, Jon (Kimberly), Ryan and Matthew Busch, Zoey, Carter and Spencer Green, Anthony and Jolie Busch, Harper and Lennon Drake, and Lilly and Charlotte Finley. He is also survived by his sisters, Ricki Cox and Cathy Comfort; as well as a vast number of extended family and friends whose lives were touched by his calm, inquiring, and kind self. He was preceded in death by his brother, Chris Busch.

Vigil Service and Rosary will be on Friday, September 12, at 6:00 P.M. and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 13, at 10:00 A.M. Both services will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Please consider a donation to the Fr. Steve Kuder, S.J. Endowed Scholarship at Gonzaga University, or the St. Aloysius Church Preservation Fund. Online memorial page – www.holycrossofspokane.org