Bernard Busian

Dover, Bernard W. Busian, 98, of Dover died Monday morning January 19, 2004 at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles. He was born March 3, 1905 on the old family farm one mile south of Dover and attended country school District #13. For three years he attended high school in Rochester, before moving back to Dover and graduating there in 1923. Bernard worked for a building contractor from 1924-25. Then moving to Minneapolis where he and Alice Smith were married September 19, 1925. They lived in Minneapolis for two years before returning to Dover. In 1930 he started his own construction company. In 1950 he formed a partnership with Pete Kramer; they built additions to several schools in the area. At the time of his partner's death, in 1957, he again operated Busian Construction. In the fall of 1961 and until 1969 he worked for Weis Construction of Rochester as a carpenter foreman. In 1942 he worked on defense projects in Newfoundland and Sioux St. Marie, Michigan. Alice died in 1980. Bernard served on Dover City Council and as Mayor in the 1940's. He also served on the Dover Consolidated School Board, was a member of Dover United Methodist Church, he served on the church council and as lay leader. He was a life member of Rising Sun Masonic Lodge in St. Charles, life member of Royal arch Masons of Winona, life member of the Sunshine Chapter of the Order of the Easter Star of St. Charles. Survivors include a son Terry (Cleo) Busian of St. Charles, two daughters, Mary Hannenberger of Dover and Caralyn Busian of Dover, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter. In addition to his wife Alice he was preceded in death by five brothers. Funeral Services will be 11 AM Thursday at Dover United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sharon Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Dover. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Home's ? St. Charles Chapel. They may also call one hour before services at the church. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:30 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.