Norman Henry Busse, age 90, of Barron, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025 at Barron Care and Rehab in Barron.

Norman Busse was the strongest man to ever live in Barron County. He wrestled with bulls and could pull a tractor out of a ditch with just his own two hands. Never you mind how that tractor got there in the first place.

Norman was also a tremendous story teller. If you’ve ever had breakfast at Maxine’s, you may have heard the one where he outran his drill sergeant in a foot race to earn a few extra days of leave. Or if you served on the Board of Barron Electric with him, he might’ve told you the one where him and his military buddies got caught speeding and the judge let them go because of their service to our country. Or if you hung around the sales barn, he may have told you that he was the Wisconsin Sheep Shearing Champion in the early 1950s. If you don’t believe that one, then you better darn well ask the sheep because this writer has seen the trophy!

He also told stories of his gratitude, where a professor out in Madison saw something in him and asked if he wanted to come out and get an education. He’d tell you he had to work twice as hard because he started college well behind the other students, so he’d take college classes during the day and high school classes during the night. He did just that and got his degree in Animal Science which set him on the path to farming.

He started Busse’s Barron Acres not too long after, growing the farm from a few acres to a thousand over the span of 55 years with the steadfast help of his family and dedicated employees. He grew corn, soybeans, and raised cattle. But the thing he was most proud of was his healthy crop of kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

So yes, he was the strongest. Yes, he was one of the greatest storytellers. But he was also one of the luckiest. If there was a joker in the deck, he’d be dealt it. If there was one fish in the lake, it’d bite his hook. But most sincerely, he was lucky to have his wife Judy by his side for over sixty-six years. And he knew it. He loved her beyond any set of words that can be expressed here.

Norman is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, George (Anne) Busse and Ricke (Anne) Gonske, all of Barron; daughters, Kim (Tim) Little of Rosemount, MN and Sherry (Jeff) Arnold of Barron; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Earl Busse of Waco, TX; sister, Gladys (Bernice) Daniels of Cameron; as well as nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; George and Mildred (Campbell) Busse; 3 sisters, June, Jeanette Werveg and Eva Brown; and a brother, Larry Busse.

Family services will be held at a later date.

Last Update: Jun 17, 2025 7:16 am CDT