Leo C. Bussan

Waunakee / Bonita Springs, Florida -- Leo Charles Bussan, age 79, died on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg. He was born on October 22, 1929 to LuVerne and Clara (Bjerk) Bussan in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Leo grew up in Madison. He was united in marriage to Ruth E. Schlotthauer in July of 1951, and she preceded him in death in 1999. Leo was in the Korean Conflict stationed in Germany from 1951 to 1953 with the U.S. Army 194^th Field Artillery Battalion. In 1955, he received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Leo began working with Mead & Hunt Consulting Engineers in 1955, and retired as President in 1994. In September of 2000, Leo married Pat Burns. Leo liked to bowl and golf, and was inducted into the Madison Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1983. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Waunakee, and St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. Leo is survived by his wife, Pat Burns; his children, Dan Bussan of Cross Plains, Tom Bussan of Madison, Mary (Jim) Schuchardt of Verona, Betsy Bussan (Ken Crary) of Verona, and Amy McCormick of Madison; his grandchildren, Daniel Schuchardt, Sarah Schuchardt, Timothy McCormick and Joseph McCormick; and his brother, Robert (Pat) Bussan of Fort Myers, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 209 South Street, Waunakee, with Fr. Patrick J. Wendler officiating. There will be a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be given to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or Paul Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue K4/658, Madison, WI 53792. The family would like to recognize Leo's best friends, Dave Jefferson and Jim Smithback. A special thank you to the staff at HospiceCare Inc., to Oakwood Village East and West, and to UW Hospital. The family also wishes to thank all of the friends and relatives who offered support and encouragement to Leo and his family throughout his illness.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was

walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints

in the sand: one belonging to him,

and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,

he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life

there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord

about it. ""Lord, you said that once I decided to follow

you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I

have noticed that during the most troublesome

times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why when I needed you most

you would leave me.""

The Lord replied, ""My son, My precious child,

I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering, when you

see only one set of footprints, it was then

that I carried you.""