Buzz Kusser
April 4, 1932 ~ August 27, 2020
Edward “Buzz” Kusser, 88, of Highmore, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.
Funeral Mass with military honors will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore with Father David Axtmann, celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 31, 2020 at the church.
Edward “Buzz” Charles Kusser was born April 4, 1932 to Max and Mabel (Perrigoue) Kusser in Highmore, the youngest of four surviving children.
Buzz grew up on the K Lazy K ranch in southern Hyde County, which will forever hold a special place in his heart. He attended country school and went to Highmore High School graduating in 1950. Buzz was a talented athlete and set multiple track records, some of which he still holds. Buzz was very proud of his athletic talents and would challenge younger guys to a race usually beating them across the finish line. Bragging rights were heard many times by most (you know who you are).
Following high school graduation, he was drafted into the army. He spent several weeks on a ship traveling to Korea for his assignment as a forward observer. He told many stories of near miss attacks on his missions to scout the area. For his service he received many medals, honors, and awards.
Buzz was united in marriage to LaVonne “Vonnie” Hirsch on June 25, 1955. To this union three sons and five daughters were born. The family lived in Highmore most of their lives where he started his own construction company. Buzz took much pride in his construction company where he continued to operate the bulldozer until the age of 87 with his oldest son, Mike. Often recruiting his children to operate the heavy equipment. He was an equal opportunity guy even including his daughters to run the dozer.
Buzz loved his family above all other. Fishing and hunting were a close second. Buzz had the patience to fish all day whether the fish were biting or not. He bagged many prize deer, elk and most anything that flies. One of his favorite places to hunt was at the cabin in the Black Hills. This provided a great opportunity to spend time with his cherished family and friends. Just the week before he passed, he told the doctors that he needed to get well in order to fulfill his deer tag out in the hills this fall. He was also looking forward to pheasant season.
Most would agree that he was the biggest storyteller they knew. He was always quick with a joke or a story no matter what the situation or who he was talking with. He was a good friend, patient and saw the goodness in everyone. Even in his last few days medical staff could recognize this. He had a positive attitude and outlook on life. He was tough but had a gentle heart to the end, never using cuss words. He was known by people near and far.
Buzz was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Highmore and faith was an important part of his life especially during hard times. One of his life’s highlights was a trip to the nation’s capital, Washington DC, to see the Korean War Memorial in 2018. Twenty of his family members traveled with him for the “Kussers at the Capital” trip. At the memorial he was greeted as a hero by visitors thanking him for his service in the Korean War. It was a very proud moment for Buzz and one that family will never forget.
Left behind to miss Buzz are his children and grandchildren: Mike Kusser, and Kylie Kusser of Highmore, SD; David (Teresa) Kusser, Mackenzie Blake, Caleb Kusser, and Clay Kusser of Pierre, SD; Coleen Kusser, and Morgan Neiman of Pierre, SD; Suzy (Dan) Oligmueller, Nathan Oligmueller, Nicholas Oligmueller, and Jordan Oligmueller of Colorado Springs, CO; Rebeca (Dan) Lyle, Olivia Lyle, and Max Lyle of Piedmont, SD; Katina (Chris) Lipsett, Haley, Andy and Lindsey Lipsett of Glenwood, IA; one daughter in law and grandchild: Jesica Kusser, and Ashley Kusser, New Underwood; eight great grandchildren; sister, Betty (Ronnie) Heckenliable; sisters in law: Eileen Kusser and LaVonne Kusser; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vonnie; daughter, Debbie Kusser; son Chad Kusser; granddaughter, Jamie Kusser; parents Max and Mabel Kusser; brothers: Simon Kusser and Joe Kusser.
Buzz you will be forever missed but never forgotten
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Buzz’s arrangements
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All my sympathy. Spent a long time fishing the creek up from the Mission dam once as a kid, kept catching bullheads and walking a ways down to let them go, to try and catch something else. On my last trip, I saw Buzz was fishing right by where I was putting them back in! Hope he didn't mind! It's tough seeing folks you grew up around pass away, brutal reminder of time moving on. He left quite a legacy where memories and stories live on. Take good care, DK
Haven’t seen Buzz for years but that picture is exactly how I remember him. Always a grin on his face. Sorry for your loss and may the memories (and there is a lot) bring you tears and laughter. God bless you all.
My condolences to your family. A very good man I was lucky to know and live next door to while growing up. I hope he is where the hunting is always good and the fish are always biting. Rest easy, you lived a great life.
Thoughts and Prayers to the Kusser family on the lost of their dad and brother.God bless you all at this time.
This is where the cowboy rides away….This picture was taken 70 plus years ago. Buzz was somewhere between 15 and 17. Buzz was the last man standing. He has now joined his fellow riders – Max, Joe and Sie Kusser, Marvin Beranek, Jack Gallagher, Ross VanBalen and Bill Stephens. Copies of this photo hung in bars in Mitchell, Wasta and several banks. Buzz used to tell the waitress in the Jackpot in Mitchell that he was in this photo. Not sure she believed him, but she should have. Honesty was only one of his many fine traits. It was our honor to call him Uncle, and have the privilege of growing up with him in our lives. Even though throughout his lifetime there were reasons to be down-he was nothing but positive, always with a smile, a joke and a twinkle in his eye. Thank you for making the good times more fun and the bad times bearable. We will miss you everyday, and you will always remain part of K Lazy K and our hearts. See you on the other side. Remember the 3 minute rule.
Getting to know Buzz in the last 15 or so years was an enjoyable time in my life. Hearing all the stories he told and hunting/fishing with Buzz was always a great adventure. I was able to take Buzz on several hunting trips on SD ground he had never seen, and he took me hunting on ground I had never hunted on before. My youngest son shot his first rooster 1/4 mile behind Macs Corner on opening day of pheasant season. Buzz took great pride in that first rooster my son shot.
Fishing on the Missouri River with Buzz was something I will never forget whether we caught our limit or had just a few bites. He would always say… Keep that pole up young fella or you are fixin to lose that fish!
Buzz, you never let things get you down and your enthusiasm for life is something I always admired about you. I will never forget you. You will be missed.
What a wonderful man. He will be missed this fall and winter by those of us lucky enough to have spent a day in the fields hunting pheasants or a quiet day in the ice shack. Won't be the same without Buzz!!
To all the Kusser family you have my sincerest condolences.
Buzz was life!! He enjoyed life to the fullest and i never heard him say a bad word, he can all learn from him!! I have SO many memories! All fun times!! Never a dull moment around Buzz, he wouldn't allow it!!