A. Rita Buske (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Anna Rita Buske, daughter of Otto and Lillian Britton Leitschuh, was born March 25, 1922, in Litchfield, Illinois. She departed this life Tuesday, January 31, 2012, in her home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, ten months, and six days.
On May 17, 1945, she was united in marriage to Leroy Edward Buske, and to this union three daughters and two sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leroy, on April 29, 2001; two brothers, Raymond Leitschuh, and an infant, Paul Leitschuh; and a sister, Ruth Green.
Rita is survived by three daughters, Rita Rae Thacker, and her husband, Ray, of Lebanon, Missouri, Judy Amos, and her husband, Gene, of Falcon, Missouri, and Nancy Allen, and her husband, Mike, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Ronald Buske, and his wife, Janice, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and John Buske, of Laurie, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Angie Lewis, Vicki Anderson, Robert Buske, Chris Buske, Carla Fishback, Aaron Buske, Jeremy Buske, Joshua Allen, and Daniel Allen; seven great-grandchildren, Kali, Austin, Abigail, Brock, Nicole, Tyler, and Chase; four brothers, Joe Leitschuh, and his wife, Maxine, of Mount Olive, Illinois, Jim Leitschuh, and his wife, Marilene, Maynard “Bud” Leitschuh, and his wife, Mimi, all of Litchfield, Illinois, and Jerry Leitschuh, and his wife, Martha, of Washington, North Carolina; three sisters, Eileen Walch, of Raymond, Illinois, Juanita Lovejoy, of Litchfield, Illinois, and Jean Groves, and her husband, John, of Atwater, Illinois; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Litchfield, Illinois area, and met her future husband, Leroy, there. After they were married, they continued to make their home in the Litchfield community, and began raising their children. In 1961, the family moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, where Rita was not only a devoted homemaker, but also helped Leroy in the operation of their bowling center business, West Gate Lanes. The family then moved to Lebanon, Missouri, in 1971, where they owned and operated Starlite Lanes Bowling Center for a number of years. Rita and Leroy also were one of the first Amway Distributors in and around Lebanon.
Rita was a member of Christian Life Fellowship for several years, and then later attended Dove Bible Fellowship.
In her spare time she enjoyed quilting, gardening, and growing beautiful flowers. She also liked cooking for and serving her family and friends. She possessed a gracious and loving personality, and in her family’s eyes, she was one of the best mother’s ever. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rita was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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