Leone Buse

Leone Buse, 100, of Albert City died Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Albert City.

Graveside services will take place Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in Fairfield Township Cemetery. Celebration of Life services will be held at a later date. Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City, Pleasant View Nursing Home in Albert City or Kindred Hospice.

Leone Beatrice Buse was born Nov. 11, 1921 in Marathon, to Gerda and John Johanson. She attended school in Marathon until the fifth grade when her family moved to Albert City where her father farmed. She attended country school until eighth grade then attended Albert City schools where she graduated from high school and continued to live in that community through her entire life. She married Stanley Rude Buse on Nov. 12, 1939 and settled in Albert City where Stan ran a grocery business.

Leone was very active in her community where she was one of the initial members of the Women’s Federated Club, American Legion Auxiliary and served as president for the Chamber of Commerce for three years.  She was a restaurant owner, and owner of Buse’s Variety Store (later the Straw Horse). After she sold the Straw Horse, she continued to work part time at the store through the age of 80. One of her proudest moments was to be voted Citizen of the Year in 1992. Leone also spearheaded an all-school reunion of the Albert City-Truesdale school.

Leone was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was always willing to help with church activities. She illustrated her deep faith by her commitment to the church, community, friendships and to her family.

Some remembrances of Leone to her community include that she loved to make rye bread and shared it generously with many in her family and the community. She lived by her mother’s guidance with the importance of helping others. Leone loved the people in her community family and always tried to make everyone feel welcome in Albert City. In Leone’s senior years (starting about the age of 90) she visited those confined to the nursing home to lift their spirits. While living at Countryside Living, she started several card playing groups and afternoon coffees to keep everyone involved socially and make them feel at home. Friendships were very important to Leone and it continued into her residency at Pleasant View Home.

She is survived by four children: Michael (Donna) Buse of Houston, Texas; Cheryl (Ernie) Weatherington of Johnston; Greg (Barb) Buse of Clive; Debra (Terry) Spanier of Laurens; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Leone was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, three sisters and many dear friends.