11/27/1923 to 3/15/2020
Busse, Ralph John, 96 of Grand Rapids, amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and loving husband, passed away Sunday evening at the home he built 71 years ago. Ralph was a devoted husband for 46 years to Margie Therese (O’Brien) Busse and for 12 years to Dorothy Hunefeld.
Ralph served during WWII in the European Theater as a member of the 3866 Signal Service Company. His company served in support of the Potsdam Conference in the summer of 1945.
Ralph was a journeyman electrician at General Motors Plant #1 for 34 years, retiring in 1980. He also served as president of Stampers Federal Credit Union for several years. He was a member of West Michigan Railroad Historical Society with a passion for the preservation of the Sparta depot. He also constructed a model train layout which has been enjoyed by Sparta 5th graders for over twenty years.
Ralph is remembered as a gentle, honest, light-hearted, appreciative, hardworking man. Ralph was preceded in death by Allan G. Busse (son) and 6 brothers and sisters. Survivors include children Pamela (Lonn) Hamp, Teresea (David) Schlump, and Scott Busse. Grandchildren Rena and Brett Van Putten, Clarissa and Satish Ramade, Garth Hamp, Joshua and Ashley Schlump, Elyse Schlump, and Daniel Schlump, great-grandchildren Sienna and Brady Van Putten, Ahanna, Ariya, and Rishi Ramade, and yet-to-be-born baby Schlump, several nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Lorai Wilson and Lesa Nienhuis, caregivers from Seniors Helping Seniors-Managed Senior Care, LLC., and special neighbor/friend Zachary Fassler.
Private services were held for family on March 19, 2020. A celebration of Ralph’s life will be announced at a later date.
“Don’t take any wooden nickels” – “Once a Northender, always a Northender”
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