Busch, Vonee N. Mowry Proesch

Vonee N. Mowry Proesch Busch, 86, of Lost Nation, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, following a courageous fight with complications from surgery in May of this year. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Lost Nation. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Union Presbyterian Church, Lost Nation, with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be in Lost Nation Cemetery.

Vonee was born Aug. 14, 1926, in rural Bennett, Iowa, to Melvin and Elsie (Steffens) Mowry. She graduated from Lowden High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1944. On Jan. 14, 1946, she married Kenneth E. Proesch, an automobile salesman/dealer from Lowden. They divorced in 1963. She married Earl W. Busch of Lost Nation on Dec. 15, 1973, at Union Presbyterian Church of Lost Nation, of which she was a member. He passed away in 2007.

Before her marriage, she was a personal secretary at Petersen/Harned/Von Maur, Davenport, and later a district sales manager for the Playhouse Toy Co. of Minneapolis. She also served three territories as an Avon representative.

She was a 20-year member of the Laetitian Study Club, The Fun and Frolic Club, and served as a Cub Scout leader, Bible schoolteacher, and church treasurer, all in Stanwood. In Lost Nation, she served as a church deacon and secretary of Sharon Homes.

She and her husband, Earl, traveled extensively and lived six months of each year for 23 years in their home in Mission, Texas. Arts and crafts were special to her and she looked forward to card games with her grandchildren.

Her family will remember her as “Martha Stewart” BEFORE there was a “Martha Stewart.” There was nothing that Vonee couldn't do, and everyone will remember her impeccable writing and calligraphy skills.

She leaves the following loved ones, not to mourn, but to celebrate her life: her children, Steve (Janelle) Proesch, Lost Nation, Barbara (Steve) Benischek, Lost Nation, Sherri (Bob) Stolzenbach, Kalispell, Mont., Lori (Mike) Dawson, Davenport, and Dr. Stuart (Carolyn) Proesch, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with a very special one to come in September.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; one brother, Virgil Mowry; one sister, Vivian Seng; a brother-in-law, Edward Seng; and a sister-in-law, Vivian Mowry.

The family will greet friends and relatives in the church basement for a luncheon after services.

Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, Lost Nation.

In lieu of flowers, Vonee requested that you take a loved one out to dinner and tell him or her what makes them special, and why you appreciate them.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.laheys.com.

Published Aug. 16, 2012 in The Gazette