Frederick Rheinholt Busse

MADISON-Frederick Rheinholt “Fritz” Busse, age 103, of Madison, passed peacefully into Heaven on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.  He was born on April 6, 1914, in Chicago, Ill., to Fred and Minnie (Herritz) Busse.  The family settled in Madison in 1932.  Fritz was a proud World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force, 58th Fighter Group, 311th Fighter Squadron.  After the war, he went into business with his father opening Busse’s Midway Tavern in Madison.  He soon got into the home appliance sales and service business, which he retired from at the age of 94.  Fritz was an active man in his younger years, enjoying fishing, ice skating, football and baseball.  He was a fan of the Cubs and the Bears.  In recent years, he enjoyed feeding his “critters” (birds and squirrels), ballgames on TV, watching Wheel of Fortune (he loved Vanna White), and listening to his books on tape.  Fritz always enjoyed visitors, and telling stories, his jokes were legendary.  He served his country, worked hard and loved his family, a long life very well lived.   Fritz is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lucille; daughters, Chrissy (Bruce) Thompson of Madison and Teresa Wright of Tennessee; granddaughters, Amy and Melanie Busse of Arizona; grandsons, Josh and David (Catherine) Wright of Tennessee; great-grandsons, Rigel and Altair Peterson of Arizona and Jared Wright of Tennessee; great-granddaughter, Kalista Wright of Tennessee; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Busse of Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his son, Rick Busse; his parents; his brother, Ray; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at Noon, on Monday, March 26, 2018, with the Rev. Dale Chapin presiding.  Burial with military rites will be held at Sunset Memory Gardens.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.  The family wishes to gratefully thank Dr. Amy Groff and the staff at SSM Home Health and Home Health United Hospice, Bill and Jane Busse and especially Dan and Sue Busse for their loving and selfless care of Fritz and Lou.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420