
Carolyn Wells Bush,
October 08, 1923 - January 16, 2013
Obituary
Carolyn Bush, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born in Franklin, KY on Oct. 8, 1923, the daughter of Dewey and Katie Wells (Glover) Lindsey. At an early age, she moved with her family to Valparaiso, Ind. She was raised there with her sister, Janet Lindsey, and her brother, David Lindsey. She married Norman Bush on June 7, 1941. She and Norman raised their family and worked in Valparaiso until retirement in 1974, when they moved to the Carolinas to be near her daughter’s family. After Norman’s death in 2002, she moved to Deerfield, WI to be closer to her son and her Wisconsin family. In 2011, she moved to Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison. Her sister, Janet Lindsey, joined her there in 2012. Carolyn was a remarkable woman. She was a pilot, flying solo for the first time while pregnant with her first child. Together with Norman, a former Naval aviator, she owned several airplanes. She graduated at the top of her class at Valparaiso University while raising her young son and daughter. She received her master’s degree from the same University, where she taught Spanish for several years. Then she taught high school biology and Spanish in Indiana and South Carolina. At retirement, Carolyn was Biology Department Chair. She received a National Science Foundation grant to study at Yale University, and she also did graduate studies in Spanish at Villa Hermosa, Mexico. She served as a national judge for numerous high school science fairs. Throughout her life, she mentored many. With Norman, she lived on the beach at Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., then at Sunset Beach, N.C. Carolyn loved to walk the shore, gathering biology specimens and studying the ocean’s beauty. She participated in creating a natural history museum at Ocean Isle. She was an avid and dedicated birder, traveling about the country and doing pelagic birding trips off both coasts. She was a self-taught artist: she created with watercolors, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, oils and acrylics; she did fiber sculptures. She was bright, creative and loving. She was mother to Curtis Wells Bush and Barbara Whitney (Bush) McKain, and she was “Busha” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman; and her great grandson, Jack. Carolyn is survived by her sister, Janet Lindsey of Madison, WI and her brother, David Lindsey and his wife, Mary, of Morehead City, N.C. She is further survived by her daughter, Barbara Whitney McKain and her husband, Lyle McKain, of Florence, S.C. and Salt Lake City, Utah, and her son, Curtis Wells Bush and his wife, Sharyl (Stoltz) Bush of Monona. She is survived by her grandson, Erik Wells (Betsy) Bush and their children, William Wells, Benjamin, and Frederick of Erie, Colo; her granddaughter, Arianna (Jeffrey) Keil, and their children, Sophia and Jacob of Monona, WI; and Nathan (Lisa) Bush of Madison, WI. She is further survived by her grandson, Mark (Maile) McKain and their daughter, Seneca, of Park City, Utah; and her granddaughter, Melissa (Chris) McKain and their sons, Collin, Hunter, and Lawson, of Park City, Utah. A memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE PRAIRIE RIDGE, 5565 Tancho Dr., Madison, on Monday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Byron Bunge presiding. There will be a visitation from 1-2:00 p.m. at Oakwood and a gathering at the Prairie Rose Restaurant at Oakwood following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Deerfield Community Center or the charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Keil, his staff at the Dean Clinic, and to St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, WI. “Vaya con Dios”. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Deerfield Community Center or the charity of one’s choice.
There will be a visitation from 1-2:00 p.m. at Oakwood and a gathering at the Prairie Rose Restaurant at Oakwood following the service.
A memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE PRAIRIE RIDGE, 5565 Tancho Dr., Madison, on Monday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Byron Bunge presiding.
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Memories
WA
Wendy Albrecht
Other •
Curtis-I want to express my sympathy at the loss of your mother. I truely enjoyed working with her on her taxes. She was so sweet and interesting. I loved her independant spirit.
My prayers are with the whole family.
Sincerely,
Wendy Albrecht
MB
Melvin Bohlmann
Other •
Dear Curt and Barbara -
My condolences on loss of your mother - a bright and active woman. She and I shared classes at Valparaiso Un. (before I met you). She and I were in a Spanish class at VU summer 1949, and we extemporaneously presented a skit in Spanish for the class! Our paths crossed to my delight again when you became 5th-6th grade sudents in my classroom at the old Cook's Corners School. One of the rewards of teaching is a memory of those happy days with folks like you.
Cordially, Mel Bohlmann
SP
Stephanie and Tom Poehling
Other •
I was moved to tears watching the video montage of Busha....such a lovely lady. The photos captured her true spirit - loving, kind, and adored by her family. It took me back a few years! Remembering Mexico, Ocean Isle, and all their trips to Wisconsin in-between!! I will remember her often as we go to our daughter's violin recitals in the Chapel of Oakwood East. Last Fall I wandered through the labyrinth of hallways there, looked up, and fell upon Caroline's door. We had the nicest conversation - couldn't blame her for not wanting to get out of those comfortable pajamas and join us at the recital! She was so gracious welcoming me in on a surprise visit, so I put her number in my phone, and promised to call her for the next recital in February. We will have Lauren play it in her memory instead. My deepest condolences to you all for your loss.
Stephanie
KS
Kathy Sherman
Other •
I am a former student of Carolyn's. She taught my sister and I Spanish at Boone Grove High School in the mid 1970s. She was a wonderful teacher and great lady. One time she invited many of us students to her home for a party and we all had such a good time.
My mom was Cleo Mae(Jensen) Sherman. She worked with Katie Lindsey in the mid 1940s at Lowenstines in Valparaiso with Katie. Mom thought the world of her and knew all 3 of her children. My brother's name is David.
You have our deepest sympathy. We exchanged Christmas cards every year and I always enjoyed her stories about her bird watching. She was quite a person and will be missed very much.
PB
Patti Sherman Brady
Other •
Senora Bush was my Spanish and Biology teacher at BGHS for 3 years. What a dear lady. She was kind and thoughtful and a lot of fun to have as a teacher. I didn't get to travel to Mexico with her when she took my classmates, but she brought me back 3 little minature figurines. I still display them today. She had us students at her house and what a beautiful home she had. I had kept in contact with her on and off and always enjoyed hearing her adventures through her Christmas cards to me. She and my mom, Cleo, had been friends years before she became my teacher. I send my sympathies to her family.
YW
Yolanda Williams
Other •
I was blessed to have been taught Biology
by Mrs. Bush at South Florence High School. She was truly one in a million. A beautiful individual inside and out. My prayers and deepest sympathy to the family.