Renee Busse

It is with profound sadness, we share the passing of our beloved Renee Busse. She was called to her heavenly home peacefully in the early morning of July 25, 2024. Renee is remembered most as a dedicated and loving mother to her children, Gary and daughter-in-law Kimmy Busse; daughter and son-in-law Arlene and Will McCarthy. She will be remembered for the joy and fulfillment she experienced in her role as a mother, and her delight to be known as “Omi” to her dear grandchildren Trista and Liam McCarthy. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Helmut, sister Wanda, brother Ed, nephews Jorge & Robert and many of her dear friends. Renee was born on the eve of WWII, August 31, 1939 in Warsaw, Poland to Walter and Marta Ruminski. She was born in the presidential palace, where her father worked for the President. What should have been a time of joy for the Ruminski family was quickly overshadowed by fear for their family’s welfare and safety. Renee’s early childhood was marked by uncertainty, upheaval and ultimately resilience. Renee miraculously survived this hardship and many more with her indomitable spirit. In fact, her multiple international moves and early life trials contributed to her remarkable worldliness, as she was fluent in four languages. By the time Renee was school-aged, her family had settled in Argentina, where she lived until early adulthood. In the 1950s she worked as a hair stylist, which opened doors into the film industry in Buenos Aires. As she was establishing her career as a talented hair stylist, model and make-up artist, her family had an opportunity to move to Canada. Her heart was broken to leave the country she called home, but she bravely chose a new adventure and opportunity alongside her family. She promised herself she would return to her beloved Argentina someday, but God must have had other plans for Renee. Shortly after her move to Canada, she met Helmut Busse on the dance floor at a Polish dance club in Toronto. It wasn’t long before the two fell in love and began their story as one. She continued her career in fashion and after learning English, she quickly was promoted to a lead buyer for a prominent department store in Toronto until her children were born. In 1973, Helmut created his own business in the tool and die Industry and Renee returned to work to help the business grow. They both didn’t know that later, the business would lead to fulfill a lifelong dream to move to the United States. They settled in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1991 where they spent the remainder of their life. After a life of many adventures and professional accolades, Renee and her family would agree her greatest life’s work and proudest achievement was her role as a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. Renee put her energy and passion into raising her children and loved Gary and Arlene wholeheartedly. She was a wonderful cook, kept an immaculate home and loved to entertain. She adored her “two sweet grandchildren”, and she sat proudly in the front row of Trista and Liam’s lives - attending nearly every performance, horse show and game as their biggest cheerleader and fan. She was a long time member of St. John Lutheran Church where she served in many ministries over the years. She loved spending time with friends and also enjoyed travel with Helmut. She stayed close to her children and was there for them at every turn. After the passing of her dear husband, Renee found yet another home at Parkview Retirement community where she resided for her final 2 years. She quickly made many friends who loved her dearly and who now share our grief. Although she loved her new surroundings, she spent her final years grieving her husband but always was grateful for a life well lived and for a family she adored. Renee encompassed what we believe is the true meaning of life. Filled with kindness and love, her heart was full of gratitude, even through her hardest days. She didn’t know a stranger and shared her bright light with everyone she met. She trusted in God all the days of her life, in good times and in bad, and she never took a single moment for granted. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. All are welcome to celebrate her beautiful life at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday August 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. followed by fellowship, refreshments and a toast at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 544 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and friends at Parkview Retirement community. You brought her so much joy and care in her final days and truly became an extension of our family.

Tributes

Renee Busse

August 31, 1939 - July 25, 2024