Douglas E. Bush

DOUGLAS BUSH

November 29, 1951 - July 31, 2020

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Jackson, Nebraska on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. To attend, please continue West on Highway 20 past the Ethanol Plant.  Take the next Left turn, 143rd Street.  Follow the signs on 143rd Street to the acreage and shelter house on the second pond on the Left.  A second service is tentatively planned for August 22, 2020 in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Douglas Elmer was born on November 29, 1951 to Frank and Hattie Bush of Sioux City, Iowa, joining sisters Kathy and Micki, later becoming big brother to Brad. He spent his early years biking and playing and attending school in their neighborhood on what was affectionately called Polack Hill, where many Polish immigrants made their home. As a child, Dougy enjoyed coloring and listening to records and singing. As a teen, he spent countless hours in his uncle’s bowling alley, working and perfecting his bowling game.

In the fall of ‘69, at 17, while shelving groceries at Hinky-Dinky, Doug’s world would collide with that of 15 year-old Monica Gill, who happened to be in the right place at the right time! Monica fell for his dimples and his smile, and he loved making her laugh. The next year they were married on August 26, 1970. That first date to Rollerama kicked off 50 years of shared activities: bowling league, card club, biking, game club, and volleyball games.

By the age of 25, Doug was daddy to Kristi, Keith, and Nikki. If Doug wasn’t at work, he was almost always with his family. They spent a lot of time playing cards, board games, yard games and sports. They grew up hearing him sing in his beautiful voice, including changing song lyrics. A favorite: Love Grows Where my Monica Goes. He loved to tell jokes and to entertain with personal anecdotes, retellings bringing everyone to tears of laughter. 

He moved his family to northern Minnesota in 1983, studied at Oak Hills Christian College and became its Financial Aid Director. One of his favorite things was to lead home Bible studies with friends, and many found him to be a wise teacher. But it was pretty common for people on first meeting him to be intimidated by his quiet demeanor; he wasn’t one to waste words.   

He passed on his love for Jesus to all of his children and grandchildren. Some or all of them also acquired his love for books, storytelling, singing, games, creative writing, the Minnesota Vikings, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, popcorn, and chocolate-chip cookie dough. Doug also admired and enjoyed creating garden landscaping. He loved to give people nicknames and many will never forget these special greetings. Especially Moni. 

Doug survived heart surgery at the age of 48 followed by years of battling his greatest enemy, depression, and numerous health problems, including congestive heart failure, diabetes, and dementia. Praise God, he had no fear in the face of death. His hope and his assurance were found in his heavenly Father and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He looked forward to life everlasting, no more pain and no more sorrow. At age 68, he went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2020

It seems fitting to end his story with the phrase he liked to call out to all of his kids and grandkids as we went to bed: “Good-night to all monkeys!” 

Loved ones who went before Doug are his dad, Frank Bush, sister Kathy Harris, and infant daughter Ronnette Ann. Loved ones who will miss Doug until they meet again are his wife Monica; his children, Kristi (Kevin) Elker, Keith (Chris) Bush, Nikki (Randy) Loukota; grandchildren Mackenzie (Ben) Shaw, Isaak (Tori) Elker; Ethan (Danielle), Emma, Elle, and Eli Bush; Isaiah, Olivia, and Micah Loukota; great-grandson Julian Shaw; mother Hattie Bush; sister Micki (Larry) Ehlers; brother Brad Bush.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make donations to The Access Scholarship in Doug’s name. www.oakhills.edu/dougbush