Jim Bussen
Lifelong Wallace County resident, Jim Bussen, passed away on March 20, 2025 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, KS. He was born on October 3rd, 1946 to Leo Bussen and Dolores (Basgall) Bussen in Goodland, KS. He was the oldest of six: Twins Butch and Johnny, Kenan, Trina, and Mark. He attended Wallace Grade School in Wallace, Kansas and Wallace County High School in Sharon Springs, Kansas, graduating in 1964. He attended one year at Goodland Vo-tech studying Auto Mechanics before being drafted into the US Army where he served for two years.
On November 8th, 1969, he married Penny Robben. Together they had five daughters: Missi, Miki, Mindi, Marci, and Mandi. In his words, “I sure have some pretty girls.” After returning from the service, he was a truck driver and worked at Coop, before getting his pilot’s license and becoming an Ag pilot. He owned Bussen Aerial Spraying and Mustang Express Trucking.
Jim was known for his fast cars; love of hunting and fishing; horseback riding; and buzzing people, cars, houses, and tractors while crop-dusting with his airplane. Riding motorcycles in the desert in Arizona became a yearly getaway for him and Penny. Poppa Jim/ Uncle Jim loved passing out quarters to all his grandkids, great-grandkids and nieces and nephews.
He shared his love of hunting and guns by teaching his girls, grandkids, nieces and nephews proper gun safety and hunting skills that they still all enjoy using to this day. He loved being the one to give anyone their first flying experience (and what an experience it usually was with the loops and stalls and dives that he always performed.) He also enjoyed passing down his love of motorcycles by teaching anyone who wanted, to learn to ride by themselves. His latest hobby was tinkering with his new Shelby.
In the last few years, he enjoyed drinking coffee with the old-timers (which he claimed not to be one of), reminiscing about outrunning cops with his fast cars, having the bus driver drop him off on the way to school to go fishing, breaking horses to ride, and all of the other ornery stuff he did.
Jim is survived by his wife, Penny; as well as his girls and sons-in-law, Missi (Darren) Pletcher, Miki (Brian) Waugh, Mindi (Michael) Mader, Marci Bussen, and Mandi (Mitch) Beard, 14 grandkids, and 14 great-grandkids; as well as his siblings and their spouses Butch Bussen, Kenan’s wife Debbie Bussen, Mark and VK Bussen, and Trina and Ted Smelker. Preceding him in death were his parents, Leo and Dolores Bussen, brothers Kenan and Baby Johnny, Butch’s wife Libby, and Great-Niece Kaylee.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM MT with a Parish Rosary Service to begin at 6:00 PM at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Sharon Springs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM MT at the Church in Sharon Springs with Father Carlos Ruiz officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Wallace Cemetery, Wallace, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made out to the Jim Bussen Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.
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OBITUARIES
Sadie Lee Smelker
To know her, was to love her- Sadie Lee Smelker was born to Ted and Trina Smelker on Dec. 2, 1991, in Burlington, CO. She was the youngest of 5 girls: Kylie, Audi, Cassie and Chelsea. Sadie attended Stratton Schools, graduated as co-valedictorian in 2010 and went on to attend... [More]
Roe Randall Johnson
Roe Randall Johnson, 84, passed away on Friday, July 25th, 2025 at his home in Pratt, KS surrounded by family. Roe was born in Syracuse, KS on March 26, 1941 to Paul & Bernice Johnson. He grew up in rural Greeley County and graduated from Greeley County High School in 1959.... [More]
Margaret Yvonne Kuder
Margaret Yvonne Kuder was born near Seward, Kansas on July 9th, 1930 to Clifton and Helen Walter in their home South of Great Bend. She was delivered by her Grand Mother Lucy Lacey Walter. She passed on July 22, 2025 in Weskan, Kansas at home. She had just celebrated her... [More]
Barbara Lou Liester
Barbara Lou Liester, 91, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025. Born on January 15, 1934 near Goodland KS to Mac and Ruth Purvis, Barbara was loved by family and friends for over nine decades. Married to Arvin Liester of Menlo KS in 1953, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother,... [More]
Steven “Skeeter” W. Finley
“Skeeter” Steven W. Finley, age 57, of Paulden, Arizona, saddled up and rode off into the sunset to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 9, 2025. A cowboy to the core, Skeeter spent his days riding and working ranches and doing what he did best—breaking... [More]
Elly Lotscher
In Loving Memory of Elly Lotscher, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, who peacefully passed away on July 5, 2025, surrounded by the warmth of her loving family. Born on November 19, 1927, in Billand, Denmark, Elly was the cherished daughter of the late... [More]
William John Escudero
William (Bill) John Escudero was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 27, 1931 to William Syrus Escudero and Marie (Mary) Potterf. He passed away on June 24, 2025 at the age of 94 at KMH in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. His grandparents on his father’s side were William Escudero... [More]
Wanda Irene Keister
Long-time resident of Wallace County, Wanda Irene Keister, is returning home to her final resting place. Wanda was born in Sharon Springs, Kansas, on August 7, 1939 to Virgil M and Fern (Swartz) Chaney. She passed away at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,... [More]
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FEATURE STORY
Greeley County Health Services Seeks Participation in Survey
Every three years, non-profit hospitals are tasked with evaluating the community and public health needs. Greeley County Health Services (GCHS) has been working with community partners in this effort since 2013 in both Greeley and Wallace counties. GCHS has convened local entities... [More]
Pioneer Pastoring part 4
One of the problems for most Western Kansas pioneer pastors was the weather. No matter the season, much of the weather was intense: intensely hot, intensely cold, intensely dry, intensely wet, intensely windy, intensely cloudy…and Rev. Brock and family were constantly... [More]
4H'ers Shot for the Moon at the Wallace County Fair
Watch for the Fair Results Special Issue in the coming weeks.
Pioneer Pastoring part 3
Shortly after Rev. Brock and Doris arrived at their appointment to West Bethany and Stone Church, (an area called the West Kansas Conference) their first child, Evelyn, was born. The tiny baby joined them in “…their little basement mansion.” Pioneer... [More]
Pioneer Pastoring part 2
When Rev. Brock and Doris arrived in 1930 to accept their second circuit appointment in Western Kansas, the appointment was to: Winona, Pleasant View, West Bethany, and Stone Church. Seeing that Winona was about seventy miles from Stone Church, it was decided (wisely) that was... [More]
Shoot for the Moon at the Wallace County Fair this week!
There is plenty to get excited about this year at the Wallace County Fair, including a new ride at the carnival called The Frolic. Swinging baskets spin around in a small circle as they orbit the center of the ride. The Frolic may not get you to the moon, but it’s sure... [More]
Hope Springs Ice Cream Social
Our Ice Cream Social was a huge success—and the smiles were the cherry on top! From classic sundaes to shared laughs, our family enjoyed a delightful afternoon filled with love, laughter, and (of course) lots of ice cream! Special events are announced in The Western Times... [More]
West Bethany Free Methodist Church nears 100 year milestone
As I was preparing for the 100th year anniversary of West Bethany Free Methodist Church, I began to read different renderings of the church’s history. I came across a book, Pioneer Pastoring, written by Lyle & Doris Brock, the third Circuit Pastor assigned to West Bethany... [More]
More Feature Story
BUGLE NOTES
Bugle Notes 11/28/24
Peak travel season may be over, but that doesn't mean that we are closing up shop at the Fort Wallace Museum! We have re-vamped winter hours that are already underway - you can visit Mon - Sat 10-4 MT this winter, weather permitting. If there is questionable weather, you can... [More]
Bugle Notes 5/21/24
It’s that time again in Wallace! It’s Rodeo Time! This year’s 70th Edition of the Fort Wallace Rodeo is shaping up to be a special one! There are again two performances; Saturday May 25 at 7 pm MDT and then on Sunday May 26 at 5 pm MDT. Admission... [More]
Annual Symposium held at Fort Wallace Museum
This past weekend, the Fort Wallace Museum had record-breaking attendance at the annual Symposium, and an equally successful Fundraiser Banquet. Around 90 people were in attendance at the day’s lectures and presentations, with attendees from all over Kansas, as well as... [More]
Fort Wallace Museum to Host Symposium/Banquet
The Guardians of the Fort Wallace Museum will host their annual symposium and banquet on Saturday, March 16, at the museum, with symposium beginning at 8:30 am MDT and Capt. Keogh’s Emerald Banquet at 5 pm MDT. The theme of this year’s events is “The Moccasin... [More]
Bugle Notes 11/28/23
The Christmas Season approaches! Our annual Candlelight Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00 MT, starting at the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church located on the west side of our Museum grounds. The traditional Swedish Lutheran service in the historic atmosphere... [More]
Bugle Notes 10/31/23
On Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd, come on over at 6 pm to hear a most talented musician, mandolinist and singer/songwriter John DePew! We will be hosting John inside the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church. John Depew is a Kansas-based musician, songwriter, and traveler with a knack for... [More]
Bugle Notes 10/24/23
The fall travel season has featured strong attendance at the Fort Wallace Museum, with many retired couples and international travelers coming through. Our RV Park has also been busy, with many people staying to experience the local flavor of Wallace County. Our summer hours... [More]
Ft Wallace Museum Holds 4th Annual Education Day
This past Friday and Saturday, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds once again sprang to life -this time with the sights and sounds of a Native American village. 10 traditional tipis glowed in the sun, as well as military tents and a complete 1800s chuckwagon set-up. During Friday’s... [More]
More Bugle Notes
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