Betty Jo Bussie

Betty Jo Bussie, 90, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Beloit Memorial Hospital. She was born April 14, 1935, in Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Bertha (Mueller) Barnes. Betty graduated high school in 1953 in Houston, TX and joined the US Air Force that same year, and that is where she met her husband Eugene (Gene) George Bussie. They were married March 29, 1956, in Puerto Rico while severing in the Air Force. Gene predeceased her in death on March 29, 2005, after 49 years of marriage. Betty and Gene moved to Beloit in 1956, calling Beloit her home the rest of her life, and where she and Gene raised their family. During Betty's life she worked many jobs, including Beloit Post Office, Wis School for the Deaf, JC Penny's, Fairbanks Morse, Deputy Clerk Rock County, and retired as Clerk of Courts Rock County, WI. While working and well into retirement, she continued volunteering in the Beloit Community, over 55 years at the Beloit Hospital, 26 years as a Rock County Board of Supervisor, active member of the Stateline Artists & Wis Regional Artists Association, Kiwanis, Women of the Moose, helped as educational & secretarial substitute for Beloit School District, and lifelong volunteer and supporter of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include her children, Charles (Molly) Bussie, James (Julie) Bussie, Patrick (Denise) Bussie, Laurie (Chris) Ehle and Michael (Barb) Bussie; grandchildren, Michelle (Nick) Baer, Jon (Laura) Bussie; Jenelle Hayden, Chase (Jennifer "Tilly") Bussie, Jacob (Lindsey) Bussie, Chad (Mary "Molly") Bussie, and Rachel (Daniel) Bies; great grandchildren, Brady, Bronko, Emma, Madeline, Jackson, Vivienne, Quinn, Aurora, Gwendolyne, Grace, Ella, Nova, Cecilia and Ada; very special niece Ramona (Doug) Freimuth, and other relatives and friends; and beloved dogs, Annie and Jessie. Betty loved spending time with family and friends, and especially having family get togethers throughout the year. When her children were young, she made sure the Bussie children met all their cousins, family members and friends wherever they were located, by packing up the station wagon and taking yearly summer vacations throughout the US. She also made sure her children, and grandchildren, knew how to play cards, especially Euchre. She enjoyed Facebook, as it allowed her to stay connected to her family and friends and seeing photos of her grandchildren/great grandchildren. Creating over 50 family photo albums over the years. As busy as she was throughout her life, she found time to draw, paint and read. She was a gifted artist, who painted hundreds of pictures and was a longtime member of a book club. She did little things so well, always sending a handwritten thank you note to anyone who gave her a gift, who hosted a get together, or simply to say "thank you" for any reason. She always sent birthday cards to every family member, grandchild and great-grandchild. After the passing of her husband Gene, while in her early 70's, Betty met Alvin Oltmanns, a farmer in Byron, Illinois the same age as Betty. These two immediately connected and enjoyed spending every waking hour together over the next 17 years as they were inseparable. Unfortunately, Alvin passed away on April 14, 2025. To say she will be missed, is an understatement, but we will say it anyways, Betty Jo Bussie, mom, grandma, great grandma, friend, you will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing you. She was predeceased by her parents; grandson, Ryne Bussie; brothers, Robert Barnes, Lawrence "Larry" Barnes and James (Alan) Barnes; grandson-in-law, Casey Hayden; Alvin Oltmanns; and all her friends in Heaven. A memorial service for Betty will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2025 in the Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI, with Military Honors accorded by the V.F.W. Post #2306. A visitation of remembrance will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time-of-service Sunday in the funeral home.