Filomena Margharita Bushek

Filomena “Mina” Margharita Rosa Lentini Bushek of La Crosse, Wisconsin left this world in peace on March 9, 2015 surrounded by loving family members. Mina lived a full life. She was born in Rome, Italy on November 7, 1925 to Ida Lucangeli & Paolo Lentini. She was one of five daughters. In her late teens, Mina fell in love with a handsome American serviceman, Clarence Joseph Bushek. Mina and Clarence were married on June 6, 1945 in Rome. In 1946 Mina came to the USA with their little baby Paul in tow and resided in rural Cashton, WI until 1958. Mina was a life-long resident of St Joseph’s Ridge, where she raised 13 children. Mina had a long sales career with Doerflingers Department Store in La Crosse, and later at Dayton’s until her retirement.

Mina is survived by her loving children: 4 daughters and 7 sons, Paul (Mary), Pamela (Daryl) Sather, Patrick (Charlene), John (Sharon DeGideo), Rodney (Lenore Schueler), Deborah Wekkin, Elizabeth (Mike) Brueske, Daniel (Lori), Mark (Mary), Michelle (John) Ganrude and Jeffrey (Jane).

Mina is “Nana” to 24 grandchildren: Anne, Maria Sather, Daniel Sather, Joseph (Amanda), Kristy (Chris) Marling, Luke, Adam (Natasha), Amy (Jay) Elliot, Andrew Wekkin, Ryan (Kannika) Brueske, David (Julia) Brueske, Lisa (Robert) Smith, Jeff Brueske, Anthony (Alycia), Shaina and Amy Tillman, Christopher (Korie), Amanda, Erin , Josh, Molly, Kyle Ganrude, Mike Ganrude, Mariah and Ciara; and 14 great grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters: Adriana (Art) Suchy and Gianna (Lynn) Richardson, her brother-in-law Pietro Ferri, sister-in-law Ethel Bushek and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her special family: Laura Bushek and Cornie Gastner.

Mina was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Joseph, two of her sons: Clarence August and Anthony Robert, her parents, Ida & Paolo Lentini, her sisters Silvana Ferri and Rosita and Robert Cotter; her nephew, Daniel Suchy and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gust and Clara (Silha) Bushek

Mina was very proud of her Italian heritage. She was passionate about life, love and family- a true Italian. She never lost her accent, and many of us think it actually became stronger through the years. Mina loved to sing and dance- especially to Italian music. Her eyes sparkled when telling stories of life in Rome as a young girl. Her lasagna will never be equaled. She was especially fond of her dear grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mina’s strong Catholic faith was a constant in her life, as a member of St Joseph Ridge Catholic Church and later as a member of St Joseph the Workman Cathedral. Mina had a special reverence for priests, and the clergy. She loved working for the priests at the rectory. She was a member of the International Club and enjoyed the coffee club with friends that met at the Co-op after daily Mass.
Mina touched so many lives during her time with us. She will be deeply missed, and remembered often by her friends and family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph Ridge. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse on Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. A Rosary will be recited Friday at 4:00 PM. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.