Donald Buska
September 28, 1927 - April 29, 2014
Obituary
Donald (Don) Eugene Buska, age 86 passed away on April 29, 2014. He died at home just hours after returning from the Big Sky Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a talented wood turner. He was a wonderful man with a steady heart and a playful spirit. He and his wife, Mary Louise (Moore) Buska resided in the City of Billings for 30 years, having formerly lived in Laurel, Montana and South St. Paul, Minnesota. Don was born September 28, 1927 in South St. Paul, Minnesota. His parents were Vernon Avitus and Eltha Eleanor (Gill) Buska. He and Mary Lou were married on November 29, 1947 at St. Augustine Church in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Don graduated from South St. Paul High School in June 1945, and was drafted into the Navy in December 1945 serving as a Seaman First Class on a destroyer escort the USS William Seiverling and honorably discharged in August, 1946. Don was employed by Cenex (formerly Farmers Union Central Exchange) in South St. Paul, Minnesota and Laurel, Montana for 46 years. He also was a very active volunteer in the Laurel community as Scout Leader of Troop 411 in Laurel; District Chairman of the Many Waters District of Boy Scouts of America; and at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Laurel, MT. He led the Troop 411 in several Absarokee Mountain Man Pack Trips, three Charles E. Sommers Canoe Base Trips, and attended two National Boy Scouts of America Jamborees as a leader. He was honored with the Scouting Silver Beaver Award and Catholic Scouters Bronze Pelican Award. He retired from Cenex in 1991. He is also a member of the Yellowstone Woodturners of Billings, MT and has exhibited his work at the Montana Fair for several years. Survivors are his children: James S. Buska and Josephine Feyhl; William A. and Victoria (Rabben) Buska; Thomas J. and Thelma (Canilao) Buska; Jeffrey G. and Rebecca (Haugh) Buska; Donna E. (Buska) and Donovan Schmidt; and Diane A. (Buska) and Mikeal J. Connors. There are 14 grand-children and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, his parents Vernon A. and Eltha Eleanor Buska, and his brother Richard J. Buska; his mother and father-in-law Jewell L. and Mary Allene (Dorsett) Moore and William A. Moore, his brother-in-law. Per Don's wishes Father Steve Zabrocki will officiate at a private family gravesite ceremony. Cemetery: Interment will be at the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery in Laurel, MT. Service: A social gathering in celebration of his life will be held at St. Anthony Church Parish Hall in Laurel at 12:00 pm on Monday, May 5th.
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Memories
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Cathy Evans
Other •
I read the article about Mr Buska online. I would like to express my gratitude for the sacrifice that Mr Buska made for our great nation. He served during a time when most Americans were honored to serve in the military and new that this nation was worth dying for. Also, please know that my family is also aware of the sacrifice that his family made for our great nation. Please accept my condolences in the lose of Mr. Buska. As a proud American who loves this great nation, I would again like to say thank you Mr. Buska for serving the United States of America. This nation is what it is today because you served. I pray God's blessings and comfort over your family during this difficult time. God bless you and your family. Cathy Evans, (A South Carolinian who is a grateful recipient of the sacrifice you and your family made for each and every person who lives in the United States of America.)
JL
James L. Lytton
Other •
Sorry for your loss of such a true American Hero. He is family to you, but to the rest of a free America he is a shinning example of the great men and woman of that era that stepped up and kept the world free. God Bless him and your family. James L. Lytton - Union Grove, NC
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Colette [Gill] Bultinck
Other •
Dear Jim, Bill, Tom, Jeff, Donna, Diane and families.. No words can help or ease the pain right now. You were very lucky to have such a wonderful Father and of course your Mother. Many fun and fond memories I have with all of you there in Montana and here in Minnesota. Camping in Montana on those mules and of course the boy scout visit in Forest Lake is a high light :) FUN !!! Please stay strong for each other and hugs and kisses to all. Keep in touch please. Love you all, Colette
JR
Jim Roscoe
Other •
I have not seen Don for years but have burned into my memory one of the first Absaroka Mountain Man Pack trips. Don led that trip with Harry Perrigo(sp.). It was the mid 1960's and an old time horse packer from Jardine who I think was named Chuck Cunningham hauled all our gear from overnight stop to overnight stop. There were about ten boy scouts and Don and Harry had their hands full with us. We made it safely all the way into the Hellroaring Guard station north of Yellowstone Park and back to Jardine. Don was a man who knew the basic rules of life and could teach and mentor it to others. That trip was an initiation or a right of passage for a group of young men who probably never forgot it. It takes time, patience and understanding to do these kinds of things and Don was one who gave freely of all three. My sympathies to Don's extended family given in full knowledge he is not easily forgotten.
DF
Dick and Gwen Frerich
Other •
We will remember Don in our prayers. May he rest in peace.
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Dimitra Moser
Other •
I was at the welcoming ceremony of the Honor Flight Monday night in Billings. I never met Mr. Buska, however, I would like to express my sympathy to all of his family and friends. May the memories of his great life be of comfort to you. God rest his soul and everlasting be his memory. Thank you for your service and dedication to our Nation. God bless you the family.. sincerely Dimitra