Daniel Lee Busz
Daniel Lee Busz of Montesano, Washington, passed away April 5, 2023 in Aberdeen, Washington, at the age of 85 after a long illness.
He was born Dec. 24, 1937 in Aberdeen, the son of Warren Landis and Clara Mae (White-Aschim) Busz. He grew up primarily in the Wishkah Valley attending both Eatonville High School and Wishkah High School, where he played on the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams.
He joined the Navy Reserves in January 1955 with three classmates and one cousin and began active duty a month later. He was nominated as the company honor man and was later stationed on the destroyer escort USS Carpenter in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He married Rosalie Mae Kendall of Orting, Washington, while on leave Oct. 13, 1956. Rosalie relocated to Honolulu where their first child, Dennis was born in 1957.
Upon Dan’s discharge, the family relocated to Aberdeen where their second son, Andrew, was born in March 1959. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington, in 1960 and had their first daughter Mary, followed two years later by their second daughter Nancy. The family were members of St. Leo’s Parish during their time in Tacoma. In March 1972, they welcomed their third son, Brian. The family relocated to Gig Harbor Washington, in the fall of 1972 where they became members of St Nicholas Parish.
Through the military, Daniel was enrolled in electronics — mate school — that launched his 40-year career in the electrical wholesale/electrical estimating industry, starting in a warehouse position and rising to a management position.
Upon retirement, Daniel and Rosalie enjoyed many years of being snowbirds and wintering in Yuma Arizona.
The couple moved to Montesano in 2016, becoming members of St John’s Parish.
Daniel’s interests included keeping up with his extended family, coaching his sons’ recreational sports teams, bowling, clam digging, horseshoes, spending time with the family at their Wye Lake property, participating in the Twilight Dance club of Vaughn, Washington, being members of Marriage Encounter, playing pinochle with friends, and members of Country Estates community.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 66 years Rosalie; son Dennis Busz of Portland, Oregon; son Andrew Busz and wife Erika of Kent, Washington; daughter Mary Lamb and husband Mitch of Tacoma, Washington; daughter Nancy Hansel and husband Jim from Pflugerville, Texas; and son Brian Busz and wife Lori from Nampa, Idaho; as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Surviving brothers and sisters are Darlene Akers of Montesano, Loretta Conway and husband Lorn of Wishkah Valley, and David Busz and wife Kay of Wishkah Valley. He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Clara and two brothers Milo “Mike” (Paul Aschim) McGonagle and Clarence “JR” Aschim.
A memorial service will be held April 28 at 11 a.m. at St John’s Catholic Church in Montesano. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
A private family graveside service will take place at St. John’s Cemetery in the Wishkah Valley at a future date where Daniel will be laid to rest next to his parents.
