Ruth O. (Johnson) Busch

Jul 24, 1918 - Feb 18, 2002

Ruth O. Johnson Busch, 83, an active community volunteer, died Sunday, Feb. 18, of a heart attack in her Wilmette home. Born in Rhinelander, Wis.,

Mrs. Busch grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University, where she studied physics and met her husband, Lee Busch Jr. She left college and married him in 1941, and the couple moved to Oak Park. She worked as an X- ray technician at an Oak Park hospital until 1942. Later she volunteered for many organizations, including hospitals. Her husband's work took the couple to Ohio and they returned in 1970 to live in Evanston.

Mrs. Busch worked 15 years for Washington National Insurance Co. in Evanston as a receptionist and an executive assistant before retiring at 65. In 1976, she and her husband divorced. Mrs. Busch traveled to China, Russia, India and Europe many times, was involved in investment clubs and played bridge regularly. Mrs. Busch was a member of many organizations, including Northwestern University Settlement Association, Infant Welfare Society, Evanston Hospital Auxiliary and Midwestern Antiques Club. She was a deacon at Evanston's Northminster Presbyterian Church.

"Her hand reached a lot of people," said her daughter Kathy.

Other survivors include two daughters, Penelope Bashore and Cynthia; a sister, Dorothy Beghtel; and three grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Article from 24 Feb 2002 Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

01/01/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269456293/ruth-olivia-busch