Ernest R. Von Busch

Ernie was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Ernest H. and Virginia (Lear) Von Busch on May 22, 1953.  He was the 3^rd of 8 children. As a youngster, he spent all his spare time playing his guitar in the garage, often getting complaints from his mother and the neighbors to “turn it down.” Ernie joined the Army during Viet Nam, serving as a heavy equipment operator.  He spent most of his early years as a journeyman roofer.

On Sept. 16, 1989, he married Tammy Berggren of Grand Island, Nebraska.  Together they had three children:  Nicholas, Merrick, and Michaela.

With Tammy’s career in the Air Force, there was a lot of travel. Ernie built memories with his family all over the country, from fishing and camping in Montana, visiting the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, to hiking glaciers and four wheeling in Alaska.  Ernie was a loving and supportive husband, managing the home and kids through deployments and numerous moves, always ready to take on the duties of a military spouse.

As a father, Ernie was loving and supportive to his kids. He was very understanding and empathetic, always willing to sit and listen. He provided wisdom and advice and showed his kids how to work hard. Ernie taught them to keep an open mind and to not take a black and white view of the world. He was always there for his kids.

There was nothing Ernie couldn’t do, from mechanical work on cars to construction and electronics.  He was a gifted guitar player and great singer, if he would ever complete an entire song.  He was an avid collector of guitars and learned to do detailed setups and repairs.   He enjoyed playing for himself as well as his family and friends. 

Ernie died January 22, 2024, in Wakefield, Kansas.   He is survived by his wife, Tammy; children Kelly, Nicholas and his wife Cassandra, and Michaela; grandsons Matthew and Eric Von Busch; great grandson Apollo Von Busch; stepfather, Dennis Keifer; siblings, Pauline (Paul) Clark, Sherry Burback, Michael (Charlotte) Von Busch, Darlene (Dean) Blackford, Rodney (Jodie) Von Busch, William (Angie) Zessin, Dwayne Zessin, and many nieces and nephews.

Ernie is preceded in death by his father, Ernest H. Von Busch; mother Virginia Keifer; and son Merrick Thomas Von Busch.

Memorial Services will be Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Josaphat Catholic Cemetery, rural Belleville.

Rosary Services will be held Tuesday morning at 9:30 am at the church, prior to the Memorial Service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Von Busch family with arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com