The family of Ruth Elenor Busse of Jackson, TN announces her passing, and invites all who knew her to remember her here.
Some lives speak quietly; her is one such story.
Ruth spent her working life as ['nursing spanned decades'] and held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
A life of faith is rarely a life of certainty — but always one of trust.
Ruth Elenor Buuck began her earthly life on August 21, 1936 in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Ruth Elenor Busse began her eternal life on April 30, 2026 from Jackson, TN.
Throughout her allotted days, which spanned 89 years, 8 months, and 9 days, Ruth's life was marked by devotion. In her younger years, Ruth's devotion was poured out upon her parents, Theodore and Clara Buuck, and upon Eric, a big brother she'd only meet in glory. Her beloved aunt, Ora Buuck, was also a recipient of Ruth's devotion.
As she grew, her devotion to God propagated a love for others, which led to the field of nursing. In 1957, Ruth graduated from the Lutheran School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, IN. That same year, Ruth's devotion to Carl William Busse resulted in their marriage on November 28. Throughout their 68 years together, Ruth's devotion was poured upon her five children and their spouses: Kurt (Laura) Busse, Karen (Bill) Clayton, Kathy (Steve) Barbro, Kris (Gary) Smith, and Kent (Lorrie) Busse; her 9 grandchildren: Jordan Busse, Jacquelyn Simons, Jessica Busse, Gavin Williams, Levi Smith, Matthew Barbro, Eli Smith, Karson Busse, and Kade Busse; and her 5 great-grandchildren: Carson Simons, Maddox Simons, Hadleigh Simons, MaryCarol Busse and Adelyn Busse.
Ruth's career in nursing spanned decades, states, and dress codes. From the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN, where white hose and starched caps were required, to the county hospitals in Selmer and Jackson, TN, where, over time, dressing for comfort prevailed over dressing for custom. In her later years of nursing, Ruth moved from caring for patients in the hospital to caring for patients in their homes. As a hospice nurse, Ruth was devoted to walking her patients into the arms of Jesus, and their families into His arms of comfort.
Devotion may be explained as faithfulness with a purpose, but it is best expressed as faithfulness through a person. In Ruth, devotion bore a name, and a touch, and a smile. Her life was marked by devotion to her church, to her family, to her patients, to her friends, to her neighbors, and, because she loved God's beautiful creation, devotion to her flowers! Beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder, but first it lies in the hand of the planter, and in Ruth's hands bushes prospered, bulbs populated, and blossoms proliferated!
To honor this woman of devotion, a Remembrance for Ruth will be held on May 30 at Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church in Humboldt, TN. A time of reflection will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., with the service following at 11:00.
In lieu of earthly gifts, eternal donations may be made to one of the missions Ruth was devoted to:
1. Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church – 1636 US-45W BYP, Humboldt, TN 38343;
phone (731)784-5139
2. Down-Syndrome Association of West Tennessee – DSAWT, P.O. Box 10685, Jackson, TN 38308
The words of Hebrews 13:7 exemplify the life of Ruth Buuck Busse, for they tell us to,
"Remember those who have spoken the word of God to [us], whose faith to follow, considering the outcome of their conduct."
Ruth's life leaves behind a pathway worth following; a pathway that leads to her Savior, Jesus Christ, and to her current and everlasting home.
Medina Funeral Home & Cremation Service is in charge arrangements.
302 W. Church Avenue
Medina, TN 38355
731-783-1110
"On-Site Crematory"
