REFLECTIONS

I did not know him well and only knew him for nearly 10 years.

I most admired Clifford Bussler, 89, of Brownton, for his appreciation of local newspapers. Bussler, who died recently after battling heart disease, was the father of Steele County Times publisher Rick Bussler.

Bussler, a thin, short-standing-type man was a longtime hog farmer from the western side of the state, in Brownton. He took pride in his own accomplishments in farming, but he was closely allied with his children’s love of living on a farm.

The farm background led Rick to being a protector of rural communities by putting its residents in a positive position to improve their communities.

Clifford Bussler made a lasting impassion on me the first time I met him, which was at a Christmas party Rick had arranged as a thank you for his employees. It did not take long for Clifford to shake every hand that worked for his son. He also spoke spontaneously about newspapers.

It was true that Clifford couldn’t wait for his newspaper, the Steele County Times, to arrive on his doorstep. The paper was actually called the Blooming Prairie Times when his son bought the publication, 14 years ago this week.

Clifford has watched his son’s newspaper continue and be regarded as one of the state’s most popular community newspapers. From the first day he stepped into the Times offices, Rick Bussler knew he wanted to serve Minnesota newspaper readers by giving them a product of which they could be proud.

I have looked forward to seeing Clifford and Rick’s mother, June, at their son’s company get-togethers.

Clifford Bussler thrived on keeping his family an admirable family unit. He gave all of his children the opportunities to improve themselves and others by being a part of rural communities.

Bussler lived on a family farm in Penn Township, rural Brownton. He was a 1952 graduate of Brownton High School. He loved to play the saxophone, a tradition that continued over the next two generations.

Clifford began a 50-year journey in the purebred hog business, along with crop farming.

Clifford married June Bentz Engelmann in 1959. They raised three children: Greg, Rick and Jana. Clifford and June were married nearly 65 years.

His roots in agriculture date back to the 1940s when he was growing up on the family farm. He credited 4-H with planting the seed of his career in agriculture, The Busslers lived on Willow Lane Stock Farm and Bussler Durocs. Clifford and June often worked shoulder to shoulder on the farm. In recent years, she has helped the local newspaper owner with managing the accounting and subscription renewal responsibilities.

Clifford Bussler achieved many milestones, accomplishments, and awards over the years. That’s what inspired his son to be a leader in winning newspaper awards, state and national.

Clifford and Rick Bussler would humbly accept any acknowledgement coming their way. These two gentlemen were leaders, always trying to be successful business owners.

Thank yous go out to all of the Busslers.