Elma Lea Bustle, 93, went home to be with her savior April 24, 2015 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Jan. 28, 1922 in New Leipzig, N.D. to Finnish immigrants Rev. Henry and Anna Kytonen. She was one of 11 children who grew up in the “cradle of Christianity” and enjoyed a close-knit family, farming and community life.
Elma was adventurous, spirited, an excellent student and an avid reader. After high school, she joined the Navy and was stationed in Virginia where she worked as a nurse at Portsmouth Naval Hospital during WWII. She loved the Navy and her country.
After her discharge, she headed west to meet her sisters in the bustling, booming, copper-mining town of Butte, Montana. There she met her husband, a miner, and together they ran the Beacon Light Ranch by Ramsey, Montana for 20 years. They had three children, Benjamin, Aune and David and helped build Floral Park Baptist Church in Butte. They also supported and helped many mining families during difficult times and strikes at the copper mines.
Elma loved the land, nature, growing vegetables and flowers, and raising animals. She always kept abreast of politics and voted in every election, both local and national. She was never afraid to speak her piece and loved rigorous political and religious discussions.
After Felix’s death in 1965, Elma and her three children moved into town where she met her 2nd husband Frank. Together they travelled, camped, fished and enjoyed his Italian cooking until his death in 1994.
Her last 12 years were spent in Chesapeake Virginia with her daughter Aune and her family. Elma referred to the area as her “old stomping grounds” and enjoyed reminiscing, church and family activities, family events, new friends and travelling.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 10 siblings, two husbands and a son. She is survived by her son David Bustle, daughter and son-in-law Aune and Tom Kirk, grandchildren Deborah, Jeremy, Tana, Matthew Scott, Mandy and Mariah, and great grandchildren Damon, Alana and Vicente.
Elma will be remembered by her strong, unwavering faith in the Lord, devotion to her family, love for the Navy and America and all things Finnish. She never missed an opportunity to bless people and share the love of Jesus with them. She enjoyed music and laughter and embraced people of all cultures, faiths and military backgrounds.
Elma lived a long, fruitful life and will continue to live on in our memories and hearts. She never wanted to say good-bye, but would instead say, “See you later,” and we know that will be soon in heaven.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Elizabeth River Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 pm at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews or the DAV Robert Graham Chapter # 26. Please share your condolences with the family and to view the full obituary please visit www.FamilyChoiceFunerals.com
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Thank you, Mrs. Bustle for your service to our country.
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Im so sorry to hear about this, my dear wife Deborah Jane (Bustle) Johnson,shared many stories about this wonderful woman she called grandmother. Many of Elma talents would come to us and yet my loving wife and I were never able to visit or see her due to my health. I feel so blessed to keep in touch with Elma daughter though; and some day to learn more about debbies father. God Bless this family for giving me a loving wonder mother/wife who talks dearly of them for 21years now. Rest in peace Elma.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Johnson. Orlando Fl
Im so sorry to hear about this, my dear wife Deborah Jane (Bustle) Johnson,shared many stories about this wonderful woman she called grandmother. Many of Elma talents would come to us and yet my loving wife and I were never able to visit or see her due to my health. I feel so blessed to keep in touch with Elma daughter though; and some day to learn more about debbies father. God Bless this family for giving me a loving wonder mother/wife who talks dearly of them for 21years now. Rest in peace Elma.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Johnson. Orlando Fl