Barbara Jean Bussell

The funeral service for Barbara Jean Bussell, 88, of rural Stewartville, MN will be at 11 A.M. Thursday October 22, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville with Pastor Laura Nordstrom officiating.  A time of visitation will take place at 10AM Thursday, 1 hour prior to the 11AM service at the Stewartville United Methodist Church.

Social distancing and mask protocols are required within the church and other public spaces. 

Following the Service, a private family interment will occur at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, MN

Mrs. Bussell died on Sunday October 18, 2020 of natural causes. A special thank you to the terrific staff at the Stewartville Care Center, where Barb resided since June of 2019. Thank you also to Seasons Hospice staff and her care manager Sara Jacobsen, for their kindness and compassion.

Barbara Jean Drake was born March 8, 1932 in Rochester, MN to Ernest and Alice Drake.  Barbara grew up in Rochester, graduating from Rochester H.S. in 1951.  Barbara was married to Minar Lewis Bussell on December 10, 1950 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Following their marriage, the couple lived in rural Stewartville, MN where they raised their 5 children and continued to make their home on the Bussell Family farm. Barbara was a farm wife and homemaker and was employed at Possibilities of Southern MN in Rochester for 18 1/2 years until her retirement. Barbara was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Stewartville and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was the organizer for her Rochester H.S. Class of 1951 monthly lunches. She enjoyed crafts, particularly ceramics and taught a ceramics class from her home for a number of years. She enjoyed visiting with friends and loved time spent with family.

Fond memories of Barbara should be put in writing and will be passed on to Pastor Laura for reading during the Service.

Barbara is survived by 2 daughters and 3 sons – Wes (Donna) Bussell of Eyota, MN; Mary Tostenson of St Charles, MN;  Dennis (Angie) Bussell of Minnetonka, MN;  Carol (Mark) Freeman of Chicago, IL  and  Tom (Diane) Bussell of rural Rock Dell, MN;  12 grandchildren  - Brent Bussell,  Erin (Bruce) Guenther,  Amanda (Adam) Rabe,  Jeffrey Tostenson,  Gabriel (Myshanda) Bussell,  Nick (fiancé Allea) Bussell,  Shaheen (Michael) Christie,  Michael (Emily) Bussell,  Graham Bussell,  Grant Bussell,  Derek Bussell and Meagan Bussell;  13 great- grandchildren – Landon, Alexis, and Kolton Guenther; Frank Dreier; Talen, Leni and Nori  Rabe,  Christopher Bussell,  Dominick Bussell, Emerson and Roman Christie and Erin and Jordyn Miller ;  her sister  Sharon (Ron) Kelly of Alaska  and her brother Edward Drake (and friend Kim Miller) of  Owatonna, MN and nieces and nephews.  

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years – Minar and her parents.     Minar farmed for many years and was employed by Foster Electric Co. in Rochester for 60 years, where he was known as “Buster”.  Mr. Bussell passed on April 15, 2017. Minar also earned a 60 year pin for his Masons membership.       

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Barbara are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean Bussell, please visit our floral store.