Obituaries

Ralph R. Buschmann

Died August 3, 2014

LAKE LEELANAU – Ralph Robert Buschmann, 97, of Lake Leelanau, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014.  He died at Tendercare of Leelanau in Suttons Bay after a brief illness.  He received exceptional loving care from the staff at Tendercare.

  Ralph was born on Aug. 6, 1916 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Mathew Buschmann and Christinae (Michels) Buschmann.  He had two sisters and two brothers; Shirley, Caroline, Matt and Lambert, all deceased. 
  He was raised a devote Catholic and served as an altar boy in his early years.  On Sep. 28, 1940 he married Lorraine Emily Boege.  They were blessed with a full and happy marriage of 68 years.
  In 1942 he joined the Army and served in World War II as an Army medic.  After returning from the war he worked as a supervisor at Evinrude Motors.  At Evinrude he became active in Industrial Fire Chiefs, an organization promoting fire safety in the work place.  Because of his dedication he later was honored by the City of Milwaukee and was made an honorary fire chief.
  He retired from Evinrude at age 58 and enjoyed 40 years of retirement.  Upon his retirement he and Lorraine fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to Lake Leelanau.  He was an avid fisherman and euchre player.  Ralph remained physically active until his late nineties.
  During his retirement he volunteered for the Lake Leelanau Lake Association and was active with the Fish Committee.
  Ralphs always enjoyed people and was friendly and kind to all.  He showed unprecedented generosity towards his family and grandchildren.  He was a devote Christian, enjoyed going out to eat and could be seen on Sunday’s at either the Early Bird or the Village Inn.
  Ralph is survived by his daughter Sandy (David) Newman, three grandchildren, John (Angie) Steffens, Michael Steffens, Sarah Steffens; two step grandchildren, Barry Newman, Jennifer (Kenny) Stevens; a nephew, James (Toni) Koeppen and four grandnieces; six grandchildren, Chris, Loryn, Taralyn, Lexie, Brayden and Hayden.
  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 10 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 11 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland, with visitation held one hour prior.  Burial will follow the luncheon at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.  The Rev. Lawrence K. Matro will officiate.
  Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 436, Leland, MI 49654.
  Please share memories with Ralph’s family online at www.martinson.info.
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.