Joseph Bush Sr.

Joseph Bush Sr.

November 28, 1937 - September 06, 2019

Joseph Bush Sr., age 81, of Mahnomen, MN, died Friday, September 6, 2019, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, with his wife, Rose, by his side.

Joseph Bush Sr. was born November 28, 1937, in Naytahwaush, MN, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Mitchell) Bush. As a child, he grew up in the Naytahwaush area before joining the United States Army when he was 17 years old. On May 10, 1964, he married Mavis Wadena and together they were blessed with 6 children: Teri, Jana, Diane, Marie, Loretta, and Joe Jr. Joseph worked various jobs in the area before moving his family to Minneapolis, MN, where he was employed as a high steel iron worker. His career in iron work also took him to Hyattsville, MD, where he was injured and unable to continue in that profession. He then attended Browns Institute in Minneapolis for blue printing and later, Moorhead Technical College, for computer programming. Joe and Mavis later divorced but enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. His love of the area brought him back to the White Earth Indian Reservation where he was employed at the Shooting Star Casino. On December 13, 1996, he married Rose Sheffield and the couple has continued to make their home in Mahnomen ever since. In 2005, Joe became employed as a Chemical Dependency Counselor until his retirement in 2018.

Joe was a true family man and cherished memories made with his wife, Rose; children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He and Rose loved traveling up north to spend time with their children, never missing an opportunity to be there for those special events. Joe enjoyed playing cards, board games, watching boxing and playing pool with his brother, Merle. During the summer months, Joe spent countless hours tending to his garden. His children always enjoyed the fresh bountiful produce and homemade salsa it provided. He was also a very active member of the Assembly of God Church in White Earth, MN, where he could be found almost every Sunday. Joe will be greatly missed by his friends, family and all who knew and loved him.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 22 years, Rose; sons, Joseph Jr. (Carrie), Dan Longier (Julie); daughters: Jana Keezer, Diane Bush, Marie Roman, and Loretta “Pebbs” Giard; step-children, John Mattson, Heather Mattson and Melisa Trombley (Dan); 27 grandchildren; 84 great-grandchildren; one brother, Merle Bush; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Margaret; daughter, Teri; grandchildren: Misty Londo Al-Yami, Jesse Giard, Megan Londo and William Giard; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin and Leonard; three sisters: Irene, Delores and Leona; and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex, Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will take place at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex, on Thursday, September 12, 2019, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at beginning at 6:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Free Gospel Alliance Cemetery.