Joseph Raymond “Joe” Bussen, 56, passed away July 1, 2024, at University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend, Kan. He was born Feb. 20, 1968, in Red Cloud, Neb., to Gary Dorman and Susan Kennedy. He was soon adopted by Raymond Theodore and Shirley Rose (Leiker) Bussen. 

After graduating from Sharon Springs High School, Joe went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Fort Hays State University. He married Suzanne Commerford on June 13, 1992, in Great Bend, and in 2000, made Great Bend their home. 

Joe never had idle hands and opened Joe’s Wood Design in Hoisington where he enjoyed doing home remodels and woodworking. He loved to set up at events with Joe’s Grill and serve the public, alongside his family, with amazing food. He was an engineer at heart and loved to tinker with what one man thought was junk, Joe recreated into treasure. He most recently was given the opportunity to initiate his farming endeavors and had prosperous plans. Growing up, Joe was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Sharon Springs, Kan., and currently a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Great Bend, Knights of Columbus, and attended St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, Kan. 

Survivors include his beloved wife of 32 years, Suzanne; son, Kyle Bussen and fiancée Sarah of Basehor; daughter, Rachel Bussen of Hutchinson; a grandchild to arrive Oct. 31; biological grandfather, Jim Dorman of Salina; brothers, Brian Bussen of Denver, Colo., Doug Dorman (April) of Clay Center, Matt Dorman (Nicole) of Abilene; three sisters; Rhonda Winkler (Greg) of Hutchinson, Julie Bussen of Baltimore, Md., Celeste Rains (Mike) of Oakley; sister-in-law Deanna Bussen; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Shirley Bussen; grandmother, Marie Dorman; one brother, Thomas Bussen; and biological father, Gary Dorman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Warren Stecklein presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, Kan. Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends at 6 p.m. and a Vigil with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen or Holy Ghost Catholic Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS  67530. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Rd. 

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 4, 2024