Frederick J. Buse

Frederick J. Buse

In Loving Memory of our Father

With a heavy heart, I announce the passing of my beloved father, Frederick J. Buse. Fred passed away on February 22, 2026, in the company of his wife and family. He was 89 years old.

Fred was born in Winona, Minnesota, on July 20, 1936. Fred cherished Winona, so it was appropriate that he spent his final years in the very home where he grew up. Fred proudly participated in the effort to build Sobieski Park Lodge; a beautiful community center located one block from his home. One of Fred’s last social events was in December at Sobieski Park Lodge, where family and friends gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of his wife, Carol.

After graduating from Cotter High School, Fred left Winona to serve in the United States Navy. Fred loved talking about his travels to remote parts of the world on the USS Benner, a naval destroyer. A picture of the USS Benner hangs in his house, a proud reminder of Fred’s service to his country.

Fred was an entrepreneur. After graduating from Winona State University, he joined ranks with friends to build a bar and a restaurant in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Fred also spent time as an independent trucker where he logged countless miles traversing the country.

Fred knew how to enjoy life. Fred and Carol loved to travel and spent thirteen years as snowbirds in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. During one trip across Canada, Fred discovered and fell in love with the “old mannish” tilly hat that often adorned his melon. I grew to love seeing Fred in that hat, despite refusing his calls to get my own. Fred was a private pilot and owned an airplane in his early days. He also loved to fish, be it on Lake Winona, the Mississippi River, at the family cabin, or in northern Minnesota. Fred struggled to catch fish, but that did not stop him from enjoying over twenty annual trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with the most loving group of guys ever. This May, our fishing crew will be having a special memorial in the heart of the Boundary Waters to honor our special comrade who will now be joining us in spirit. Fred landed his last walleye at 86, a goal that I hope to achieve.

My father is survived by his wife Carol, her son Anthony Hittner, her daughter Jodie Lorea (Eric Beaumont), and Jodie’s daughter Phaedra; step-daughters: Rikki, Sarah, and Gabby. My father is also survived by Chris Buse (aka me), his son, my wife Beth, and our children Kyler and Maddie. Finally, my father is survived by his daughter Jennifer Lindrud, her husband Randy, and their children Christopher and Rachel.

My father received excellent care at Winona Health, as well as from his home health assistants from the VA and Aveanna: Miya, Michelle, Dana, Becky, Amanda, Tanya, Angie, Dee and Brandon. My father also had loving care from Judith at Lake Valley Hospice. There is no doubt that Fred is looking down on all of you with a heartfelt smile on his face.

Fred will be laid to rest with military honors at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 3 PM.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at 11 AM on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona, where visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass. The Very Reverend Patrick Arens will officiate. Following the Mass, a luncheon and reception will be held in the Parish Hall of the Basilica.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Fred’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.