Geraldine Busch

Laughing eyes—winning smile

Sure they’d any heart beguile

Geraldine was born October 2, 1932 to Ruth and Harold Barnes. She married Daryle H. Busch on March 11, 1951. Geraldine is survived by Michael C. Busch, Steven J. (Becky) Busch, Cheryl A. (John) Rome and Kristina M. (Eric) Rodriguez. Geraldine is also survived by her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Geraldine was preceded in death by her son, Derrick, and her beloved husband, Daryle.

Geraldine met her husband, Daryle, in Carterville, Illinois. She and Daryle were soulmates. She was a devoted wife and friend to Daryle and was a key pillar providing all the support he ever needed to succeed in his career and as a father to his 5 children. He claimed that Jeri knew him better than he knew himself. They lived in Illinois in their early years, and in 1954 they moved to Columbus, Ohio where Daryle became an assistant-professor at The Ohio State University. After 34 years at O.S.U., Geraldine and Daryle moved to Lawrence, Kansas and continued to mentor and support students and enlarge their “family” through these many relationships and build a gentleman’s farm on 22 acres of beautiful landscape.

Geraldine was a devoted mother who shared her love and talents with all 5 of her children. She made motherhood look easy, always looking beautiful and calm no matter how many children needed her attention at a given moment!

Jeri had some more personal and private loves as well. She loved God and had a very private dialogue with her Creator. Her love extended to the Arts as well. She enjoyed drawing, painting and sculpting. In High School, she was the Art Director and editor for her high school newspaper and never lost her love of sketching “Small Art”. We all felt special when we received one of her hand drawn Christmas and birthday cards (especially when she filled the birthday card with surprise confetti!). Her interest in art brought together many friends that shared this passion in both Ohio and Kansas. Her love for the Arts extended to music as well. She had always loved to sing and she had a beautiful voice. As a child Jeri would often get a chance to sing on the local radio station and in high School extended this activity to the choir. Jeri carried those tunes to our home as we grew up, generally while cooking (and Geraldine was a wonderful cook, it was another form of art) she would be happily singing, humming or whistling, and again we benefitted from this loving spirit and talent!!

Family will celebrate Geraldine’s life with a visitation from 4-7 P.M. Friday, May 31, 2024 at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Rd. where a funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, June 1, 2024 followed by interment at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to the ASPCA of your choice in Geraldine Busch’s name (every one of those commercials brought tears to Jeri’s eyes).