Jean Busch

Oct. 13, 1921 to Jan. 24, 2008. Fort Collins resident Jean Louise Busch died Jan. 24 at Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Center after a long Alzheimer's illness. She was 86. Jean Lowe was born in Fremont, Ohio, in 1921. She was third in a large family of seven children, four brothers and two sisters. The family enjoyed Ohio small-town life, especially lively visits to the homes of nearby grandparents, aunts and uncles. At age 7, Jean and her family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, to be with their father, Carl, who, amid the challenges of Depression-era life, became employed as a soil scientist with the USDA. The family thrived in a large home on the edge of town. Her father tended a large garden, which contributed to a self-sufficient life for the Lowe family. A year before graduating high school, Jean and her family moved to Fort Collins where her father worked as an agronomist at Colorado State College, or CSC. She graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1939. Shortly after enrolling as a student at CSC, her father, Carl, died of cancer. Jean dropped out to help support the family. Her Fort Collins home remained the center of Lowe family hospitality for years as the family dispersed to lives all over the country. Jean married Robert H. Busch on June 17, 1941. The newlywed couple lived in North Denver during WWII where Bob worked as a mechanic and test pilot at Langley Air Force Base. Their first son, Robert Bobby, was born. Jean, Bob and Bobby returned to Fort Collins after the war, where Bob worked with his brothers, Bill and Harold, at the Standard Oil bulk plant on North College Avenue. Jean and Bob's family grew with the births of Bill, Harold and Betty. They moved to their two-story house on South College Avenue. During this time, Jean's family especially enjoyed water skiing together on Horsetooth Reservoir where they were members of the Sail and Saddle Club. In 1958, Jean started Kiddie Kollege in their South College home. The child-care business sparked Jean's talent for working with young children. The center grew to accommodate 55 children per day. Jean's passion for young children touched many lives. In the words of the mother of one child, "Mrs. Busch ranks right under Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny." After her retirement in 1983, Jean and Bob enjoyed trips in their motor coach and were active in Family Motor Coach Association. Shortly after a bout with breast cancer in 1989, Alzheimer's disease started to affect Jean. She lived at home, continuing with travel and enjoying family activities. Jean's husband, Bob, died in 2001 after 60 years of marriage. Jean entered Columbine Care Center, now Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Center, where she received excellent care to the end of her life. Preceded in death by brother Carl, Jean is survived by five sisters and brothers: Margaret, Dorothy, Richard, Don and William; and by her four children, Bob of Lakewood, Bill and Harold of Fort Collins, and Betty of Corvallis, Ore. A memorial service celebrating Jean's life will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First United Presbyterian Church, 521 S. College Ave. The Rev. Rich McDermott will officiate at the service. In memory of Jean, contributions to the Alzheimer's Foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .