Bernard Bussmann

Bernard J. Bussmann, age 91 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at the Cura Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church in Melrose. 

Bernard Joseph Bussmann was born February 7, 1935 to Bernard “Ben” and Elizabeth (Wenker) Bussmann. He went to country school through the eighth grade which he finished in seven years. He was united in marriage to Clotilda “Tillie" Blonigen on May 16, 1956 at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin. Bernard was born and raised on the family farm which is a 3rd generation farm and a century farm, family owned since 1897. He dairy farmed into the 1990’s and later raised beef cattle and hogs. Bernard owned and operated his custom chopping business since 1957, starting with a one row chopper behind a Farmall H and ending with a self-propelled chopper.

Bernard was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. He enjoyed taking trips to the casino, playing cards with family and friends, and did lots of traveling. Bernard made several trips to Alaska, Germany, and numerous other states from coast to coast.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Clotilda "Tillie" Bussmann of Melrose; children, Ronnie (Mary Lou) Bussmann of Grey Eagle, Karen (Jim) Sand of New Munich, Jenny (Rick) Mayers of Melrose, Bonnie (Phil) Poepping of New Munich, and Brenda (Nick) Knick of Englewood, Florida; son-in-law, Lee MacRae of Spicer; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Darlene Bussmann of Melrose; and brother-in-law, Vic Goebel of Freeport.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Elizabeth Bussmann; daughter, Lynn MacRae; sisters and brother, Anna Mae (Jim) Morrison, Cecilia (Donovan) Hansen, Bernice (Clarence) Theiler, Rita (Jerome) Poepping, Lorraine (Jack) Kraker, Eddie Bussmann, Betty Lou Goebel, and Doris (Reuben Weiner and Charles Peterson) Peterson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose.