Bernadine A. Buswell, 92, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the Iroquois Memorial Resident Home in Watseka. She was born on April 30, 1931 in Beaverville Twp, the daughter of Ben and Eva (Lafond) Arseneau. She married Ralph D. Buswell in Beaverville on August 8, 1953 and he preceded her in passing on February 1, 2011.
Surviving are three daughters, Rosann (Don) Miller of Watseka, Julie (Steve) Danker of Excelsior, MN, and Pam (Kevin) Verkler of Watseka; five sons, Gregg (Sheila) Buswell of St. Louis, MO, Larry (Diane) Buswell of Watseka, Marty (Suzie) Buswell of Woodlawn, Jim Buswell of Kentland, and David (Cheri) Buswell of Bloomington, MN; thirteen grandchildren, Andrea Batha, Ryan Miller, Ben Danker, Patrick Danker, Haley Benner, Taylor Buswell, Elissa Buswell, Claire Henneike, Jelena Verkler, Danny Buswell, Amanda German, Lauren Buswell, and Nate Buswell; and thirteen great grandchildren, Maddax Batha, Nolan Batha, and Ryker Batha, Charlotte Benner and Evelyn Benner, Brenden Henneike, Blakely Henneike, and Tucker Henneike, Brianna Buswell, Jordyn Buswell, and Bryan Buswell, and Aubrey German and Evan German.
Bernadine was preceded in passing by her parents; husband, Ralph; brother, Julian Arseneau; and two grandchildren, Landon Miller and Mara Verkler.
Mrs. Buswell was a member of St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka where she was very active within the church as a choir director, organist, secretary, and helping with religious education. She enjoyed teaching piano lessons for many years and was a 4-H leader. Bernadine was a supporter of the American Cancer Society where she was actively involved with Iroquois County Relay For Life.
Bernadine loved making quilts for loved ones and spending time with Ralph and family at their cabin in the Northwoods. She was known as the “puzzle lady” at the nursing home where friends, family and staff would puzzle with her while visiting. Bernadine will always be remembered for her love of the family she and Ralph created and her strong devotion to her Catholic faith.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 pm at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Watseka. Father Michael Powell will officiate. Burial will follow at Buswell Cemetery outside of Kentland, IN.
Our family would like to thank Iroquois Memorial Hospice and Iroquois Memorial Resident Home staff for their loving care of our mother/grandmother over the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Edmund Catholic Church, Iroquois Memorial Hospice, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Please share a memory of Bernadine at baierfuneralhome.com.
