Colleen Busta, 81

June 16, 1936 —

Jan. 24, 2018

 

Lawler - Colleen Busta, age 81 of Lawler, Iowa, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday Jan. 24, 2018 at Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Jan. 29, 2018, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, with Rev. Kyle Digmann celebrating the Mass. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Little Turkey, Iowa.

Online condolences for Colleen’s family may be left 

at hugebackfuneralhome. com  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Colleen Marie Busta was born June 16, 1936, on the Mikesh family farm near Spillville, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Loretta (Mikesh) Kalishek. She received her education in Protivin, Iowa and was a 1954 graduate of Rudolphinum High School. She continued her education at Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Donald C. Busta on May 21, 1956 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. The couple were blessed with eight children, who were raised in a home filled with the sound of music. 

Together the couple farmed north of Little Turkey, and Colleen also worked at Sara Lee for several years. She enjoyed singing for numerous weddings and funerals, starting at the age of 13. She was organist for Assumption Parish for over 40 years and taught piano lessons. She enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, especially euchre. 

Colleen had a strong faith, which she shared with everyone. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Legion Auxiliary. Her upbeat personality and smile will be missed by all who knew her. She will always be remembered for her love of family, friends and music, her caring nature and beautiful smile. What a privilege it has been to call her “Mom.”

Left to cherish Colleen's memory are her eight children, Debbie (Tim) Speltz of Lawler, Jeannie (Scott) Adams of Waucoma, Iowa, D.J. (Kim) Busta of Lawler, Bob (Ruth) Busta of Little Turkey, Julie (Joe) Kuehner of Center Point, Iowa, Harold (Lisa) Busta of Lawler, David Busta of Oklahoma City and Brad Busta of Underwood, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Sonny (Bonnie) Kalishek and Joe (Sue) Kalishek, all of New Hampton; one sister, Janis Crisman of Story City, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald C. “Sluggo” Busta on July 20, 1995; and one brother, Gary Kalishek.