Esther Shirley Busse

Esther Shirley Busse, 97, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 23 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Schaumburg, IL.

Esther was born June 25th, 1928, to Walter and Emma (Kehe) Karstens. She attended St. Peters Lutheran School and Arlington High School. Esther graduated from Beloit College in 1950 and shortly thereafter married her high school sweetheart George R. Busse. After four years in the Air Force, Esther and George returned to Illinois and settled in Mount Prospect where George went to work with his father in the family real estate business. Esther’s focus was on family, faith and community. She was an active member of St Paul Lutheran Church and School serving as member of the church’s Stephens Ministry and President of the School’s Parent Teacher League. She was a stalwart member of the Prospect High School Teacher Parent Council and Boosters Club as well as a Precinct Captain for the Elk Grove Township Republican Organization. Esther had a Christ filled heart giving freely and consistently of herself to others. She was an unfailingly loyal friend with a compassionate heart. Her seven grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she played a major role in their Christian upbringing.

Esther is survived by her two sons George K. (Suzanne) and Brad (Christine Benero); her grandchildren Blake (Kyra), George Brent, Alison (Blake) Summers, Emily (Ty Mercer), Andrew (Emily Lydon), Rochelle and Kendrick (Kasey) Taves; and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece and nephew, Gretchen Marsh and Bill (Janet) Helbig and her sister-in-law Joanne (Busse) Mortensen. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, and her sister, Ruth (Karstens) Helbig.

Visitation is 10:00am until a Funeral Service at 1:00pm on Friday, December 12th at Friedrichs Funeral Home 320 W. Central Road at Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 108 S. School St., Mount Prospect, IL 60056

Information call 847-255-7800 or www.FriedrichsFH.com