Carlton A. Busch, 92, of La Motte, IA, passed away Thursday June 18, 2026, at Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in St. Donatus, IA. A funeral service for Carlton will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, in St. Donatus, IA. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd. is assisting the family.

Carlton was born on December 30, 1933, in La Motte, IA, the son of John and Frieda (Lubs) Busch. He was united in marriage to Shirley A. Miller on January 31, 1959, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in St. Donatus, IA, where they were both members. Carlton served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a lifelong farmer and served as the Jackson Co. Weed Commissioner for many years. Carlton and his wife Shirley enjoyed escaping the cold Iowa winters every year in Arizona visiting family and friends.

Carlton acquired a lifetime’s worth of wisdom as a husband, father, farmer, and businessman, and one of the greatest joys of his life was to share that wisdom with others. He took particular pleasure in passing that wisdom on to his grandchildren and took tremendous pride in knowing that his legacy was not his own successes, but in the impact he had upon future generations of Busch boys and girls.

He is survived by his children, Carlton Jr “Butch” (Janice) Busch of Surprise, AZ, Richard (Kimberly) Busch of Dubuque, IA, and Rebecca (Robert) Harjehausen of La Motte, IA; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Tom) Harmon of Zwingle, IA; seven grandchildren: Brandon, Ryan, Nathan, Alyssa, Mitchell, Lucas and Adam; three step-granddaughters Angela, Amy and Jennifer; 11 great grandchildren; eight step-great grandchildren; siblings-in-law: Janet Busch, Mary Kay Busch, Donna Busch, Betty McPhail, Carol Blume and Harold (Rita) Miller; along with many nieces and nephews.

Carlton is preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley; their son Allen Busch; his parents, John and Frieda; brothers, Harvey, Norman, Eldon and Roger Busch; brothers-in-laws, LeRoy Miller, Gary McPhail, Robert Schmerbach, Robert Becker, and Robert Blume.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.