Hysham Echo

Lloyd Henry Busma Obituary

January 22, 1925 - October 23, 2009

     A celebration of Lloyd Henry Busma’s life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at the Coastlands Four Square Church, 280 State Park Drive, Aptos, CA.
     The fifth child of six, Lloyd Busma was born Jan. 22, 1925 in Rancher, Montana, to parents John Hans and Erna Busma. He passed away in Santa Cruz, CA on Oct. 23, 2009.
     A life-long Montana farmer, Lloyd actively farmed acreage which included the original Busma family farm near Hysham, Montana until his death. He simultaneously pursued a distinguished 35-year career as a mechanical engineer for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA. Following his retirement from Lockheed, he worked as a consultant for various engineering firms until he was 80 years old. He achieved the status of D.E.R. (Designated Engineering Representative) to the FAA during his long engineering career in aviation.
     The Busmas were residents of La Canada-Flintridge, CA for many years and were active members of the North Hollywood First Assembly of God Church. Lloyd served in many capacities as a deacon, trustee and elder. Summer vacations and any free time were devoted to planting and harvesting the dry land farm in Montana.
     Lloyd Busma was valedictorian of his graduating class of Hysham High School in Hysham, MT. He was a veteran of World War II, serving at age 18 as a truck driver in the 1261st Engineer Combat Battalion attached to General Omar Bradley’s 15th Army, which was engaged in the final push into Germany. He maintained a life-long commitment to U.S. veterans. Following World War II Lloyd graduated in 1951 from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in mechanical engineering. He made a commitment to  Christianity when he was 32 years old, describing his experience as life-changing.
     Following his retirement from the aviation industry he moved to Santa Cruz, CA to be near his children and grandchildren. He continued to make trips to work the Busma family farm until his death, which was first homesteaded in 1913 by his father, John Hans Busma who had migrated from Germany.
     While living in Santa Cruz, Lloyd was active in the Santa Cruz Community Church. He was known for his hospitality to newcomers and for his willingness to accept an assist people from many backgrounds who were exploring the Christian faith. He served on the congregational care ministry team which involved visiting the sick and grieving. He supported many Christian missionaries and ministries throughout his life. He also frequently worshipped with his son and family at the Coastlands Church in Aptos, CA.
     Lloyd Busma was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In an autobiographical statement to his grandchildren and family, he described his upbringing on the rugged Montana farm in the 1920s and 30s as a life in which his parents instilled in him the virtues of resourcefulness, honesty, obedience and trustworthiness.
     He was a strong advocate of education and encouraged his children to pursue higher education, with his daughter Marilou graduating with a degree in nursing from Mount St. Mary’s College, and his son Jeff graduating with a degree in computer science from California State University, Northridge. He continued to encourage his grandchildren in their education until his death. In recent years he was devoted to the care of his wife Belma, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
     He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Belma, of Santa Cruz, CA; by a sister, Helen Holmes of Seattle, WA; a brother, John Busma of Riverside, CA; and a sister, Ethel Ward of Billings, Montana. He is also survived by a daughter, Marilou Church, and her husband Rick of Gig Harbor WA; a son, Jeff Busma and his wife Sally of Aptos, CA; five grandchildren: Erica Lathan and her husband Brian, Christine Boymatov and her husband Isroil, Megan Buono, Jesse Busma, Amanda Busma; three step-grandchildren: Alisa Southerland and her husband John, Lindsay Church, Anna Church; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Hans and Erna Busma, a brother, Dick Busma, and a sister, Evelyn Johnson.
     Contributions can be made to the Belma L. Busma Special Needs Trust, in care of Jeff and Sally Busma, 105 Carlino Lane, Aptos, CA 95003. Print this post