Ralph Henry August Buesing

RALPH HENRY AUGUST BUESING, of St. Clair passed away on his 83rd birthday, April 28, 2023, at Laurels Edge in Mankato.

Ralph was born on April 28, 1940, in Mankato to Herbert and Violet (Gekeler) Buesing. He attended St. Clair Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1958. Ralph married Winnis Renneke on August 6, 1960, at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church in Norseland. They lived in Mankato for a short time before moving into the country and later to St. Clair in 1966. Ralph began working with his father moving buildings when he was 11 years old. He later worked for Bernie’s Alignment and Nelson Motors. Most notably he worked for Tire Associates for 25 years as an alignment specialist and was often called on by dealerships to assist with difficult vehicles. Ralph was a hard worker, always providing for his family, retiring in June of 2001 at the age of 61.

Ralph had a passion for animals and would bring home stray cats and dogs. Ralph was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time at “Ralph’s Deer Camp” in Barnum, MN. He loved to fish, especially with family and friends in Algoma and Two Rivers, WI on Lake Michigan. He also enjoyed camping and traveling to many states and countries. Ralph loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and attending their sporting and school events.

He was a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eagle Lake. Ralph was active in his local community. He was a member of the St. Clair Fire Department for 38 years and the Actioneers in St. Clair where they were instrumental in starting the first glass recycling center in Blue Earth County. He was also a founding member of the St. Clair Snowmobile Club and was involved with stock car racing, served on the St. Clair City Council for 12 years and was named Grand Marshall along with Winnis in 2004 for St. Clair Days.

He is survived by his wife, Winnis of St. Clair; two children, Michael (Stefanie) Buesing of Mankato and Roxanne (Bradley) Flowers of St. Clair; seven grandchildren, Joshua (Sarah) Buesing, Chelsey Kunkel (Buesing), Nicole Buesing, Brandon (Rachel) Flowers, Brock (Jess) Flowers, Blake Flowers, and Bryce Flowers; and five great grandchildren, Sophia Kunkel, Landon Kunkel, Sierra Kunkel, Emma Flowers and Sadie Flowers. He is also survived by one brother, Orville Buesing of Los Gatos, CA; sisters-in-laws, Arlene (Steve) Sullivan of Paynesville and Marie Renneke of Minneapolis; and brother-in-law, John Renneke (Lori) of Queen Valley, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents Herb and Violet, and his special pets Penny, Pebbles, Pumpkin and Callie.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eagle Lake. Visitation will be held on Saturday, one hour before services at the church. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in St. Clair.

Ralph’s family would like to extend a special thank you to John Stephine and VINE for including him in the Elysian’s Mens Coffee Group. They would also like to thank Laurel’s Edge staff for the loving care Ralph received over the past 5 years along with the residents for their friendship.