Mary R. Busch

Mary Ruth (Opat) Busch was born September 5, 1954, at McPherson Memorial Hospital, the daughter of Adam Bernard and Bertha Ann (Everhart) Opat.    She went home to be with her Lord on March 15, 2024, after a massive stroke.   

Mary had a somewhat difficult life, getting polio on her first birthday, which affected her left side.  She had multiple surgeries over the years, culminating with a complete shoulder fusion, which made her arm stop growing. Mary was told that she should not have any children due to the ether and other treatments that she had for the polio.  So, she had planned on becoming a nun.  

Then, in the summer of 1971, when she was only 16, she met the love of her life, Jody Lee Busch, who she married on January 29, 1972, in Wichita, KS.  This marriage was blessed with six children, Adam, Jennifer, Crystal, Amy, Zach, and Annie.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Jody; six children, Adam (Buffy) Busch, Jennifer (Chris) Strawn, Crystal (Henke) Galloway, Amy (Shawn Matteson) Busch, Zach (Chelsea) Busch, and Annie (Jason) Brown; 18 grandchildren, Jordan (Brittany) Busch, Katlynn (Gabriel) Wilson, Kimberlee (Josh) Cook, Darian (Cole) Taylor, Tate Galloway, Andrew (Terra Saunders) Galloway, Jake Strawn, Jaycee Welch, Tobias Galloway, Haylee Busch, Kylee Busch, Teighlor Welch, Jandie Busch, Hunter Brown, Kaiden Brown, McKenna Galloway, Jonah Busch, and Ashcroft Busch; seven great-grandchildren, Owen Busch, Sophia Silva, Aubree Busch, Gabriel Wilson, Jr., Roman Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Benton Cook; siblings, Steven (Maria) Opat, Julie (Phil) Kornelson, and Susan Hart; and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adam & Bertha Opat; grandchild, Peyton Welch; grandparents, Frank & Ruth Everhart and Martin & Frieda Opat; and a brother, Michael Opat.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rosary following at 7:00 PM.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Kerschen officiating.  Burial will follow at Crestwood Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Stockham Family Funeral Home (to help offset funeral expenses) or St. Joseph Catholic Church in  care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.