VIENNA — The Maries County community at large lost an old one last week with the death of Sylvester “Vessie” Buschmann. He was 90 years old and died at Maries Manor nursing home in Vienna during a time of lockdown at the facility because of the coronavirus.

Buschmann was a son of the late Anthony and Christina (Falter) Buschmann, and was raised on a farm in the beautiful Maries River Valley, west of Vienna. He loved life so much. He loved his farm and each day looked upon it and realized the beauty of where he lived. He loved his family and was completely devoted to his parents who raised him as their only son. Even at his elderly age, Vessie’s eyes would fill with tears when he talked about his parents. He loved them so. People who know him say he found the goodness in life each and every day. It was one of his gifts.

Vessie loved Vienna and all of the people. He knew who they were before they married and knew their grandparents and so much about them. He had an uncanny memory. Another one of his gifts.

The Catholic religion and Visitation Catholic Church probably were near the top of Vessie’s list of what was important to him in his life. He was a 1945 graduate of Visitation School. He knew all of the priests, the dates of their tenure as pastor at Visitation Parish, and the dates and places of their deaths.

His parents and himself were generous with the church. In 1911, Anthony and Christina Buschmann donated the “Calming of the Seas” stained glass window in the church. That window and all of the others in the church were refurbished before the parish sesquicentennial (150 years) in 2017. They are simply beautiful.

His family donated the St. Anthony bell in 1949, which was named thus in honor of Vessie’s father. When the parish celebrated its 100th year anniversary, Anthony, Christina and Vessie donated the electric bell system. The family made many donations to the parish throughout their lives. He was a devoted Catholic and did not miss Mass. He was a lector and a bell ringer, and instructed others in the proper way to ring the bells.

Vessie was a man who was proud of his community and throughout his life, he was dedicated to community service. He was a poll worker and even at age 90 he worked every election day and was the person who gave voters their “I Voted” sticker. He was a member of the Maries County Fair Board, a member and officer of a national farm association, and a board member of the Historical Society of Maries County. He volunteered every day as his health allowed at the Vienna Senior Center. Vessie could be counted on to serve on various church committees and organizations over the years, including the sesquicentennial committee.

Sail on, Vessie, into the yonder place of rest and peace. Thanks for living here so we could know you.