Verne Frank Busse

He was the beloved son of LaVerne and Eulalia Busse (née Dettman). Verne was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 69 years, JoAnne Busse (née Caltagirone). He is survived by his loving children, Susan (Edward) Erickson and Scott (Donna) Busse; six cherished grandchildren, Stephen Busse, Thomas Busse, Matthew Busse, Jason (Carinne) Erickson, Melissa (Ryan) Sparks, and Kailey (Mika) Laitinen; and two adored great-grandchildren, Elliana Erickson and Ethan Sparks.

Verne graduated from Arlington Heights Township High School (class of 1950) in Arlington Heights, IL, and began his college studies at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was a member of the track team. He later transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration graduating in 1954. While at Colorado, Verne was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was honored as an Alumni C Club All-Time Letterwinner in Men’s Track & Field. A serious injury ultimately kept him from competing in the Olympic trials.

Following graduation Verne was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1954-1956 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He married Josephine Ann Caltagirone on June 11, 1955.

In 1961, Verne relocated his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as Controller for Milwaukee Children’s Hospital. In 1980, he and JoAnne moved to San Jose, California, where he joined the San Jose Medical Foundation. In 1987, he began working with Yosh Uchida at Laboratory Services Inc. / Y. Uchida and Company Inc. Verne continued to contribute his expertise by teaching in the Business Division at West Valley College.

Throughout his life, Verne was actively involved in leadership and community service. He served as President of the Glencrest Homeowners Association, was a member of the Supervisory Committee for a Silicon Valley Credit Union, and Treasurer of the Imperial Hawaiian Vacation Club. He was also a longtime and faithful member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Jose.

Verne enjoyed a full and active life with hobbies that included running, bowling, golf, fishing, and travel.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

We will update this site with information on the upcoming service.