Lova Mary Bushnell, age 98, went home to be with the Lord on February 21, 2017. She was born January 10, 1919 to Carl and Ora Sell at Weeping Water, Nebraska. She lived in Weeping Water until age 15, when her father passed away. At that time, her mother moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska with the nine children. Lova graduated from high school there in 1937. She worked at housekeeping jobs and then in the canning factory, where she met Eugene. They were married on December 10, 1939. To this union were born four children: David, Mary, Susan and Kathleen.
In 1951 Eugene sensed that he was called to ministry, so they moved to Omaha to allow him to attend Bible college. In December, 1953 they moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to serve as missionaries with the American Sunday School Union. That summer they were assigned to Winner, South Dakota, and in 1960 they moved to Kadoka to serve that area until retirement in 1973. Lova was active in the ministry, helping with vacation Bible schools, camps and Sunday schools. She prepared crafts for hundreds of children, made thousands of cookies and cooked at several weeks of camp each summer.
Upon retirement from American Sunday School Union, they served a church in Harrisburg, Nebraska, then returned to Kadoka to serve at the Kadoka Presbyterian Church. Lova taught an adult Sunday school class for over 30 years. She was active in making quilts for the church to donate to a children’s home. She also made regular visits to the nursing home. She was a member of the Kadoka Senior Citizens and the Kadoka Presbyterian Church.
In addition to her parents and five siblings, Lova was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene, and a daughter, Mary.
She is survived by a son, David Bushnell and wife Sharon of Kennebec, South Dakota; daughter Susan Schultz and husband Dennis of Pardeeville, Wisconsin; daughter Kathleen Nite and husband George of Charleston, Missouri and son-in-law Larry Beckwith. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Jeff Bushnell (Courtney), Maria Fanning (Bob), Ross Bushnell (Jeanne), Tina Peters (Eric), Kari Pizzini (Steve), Amy Davis (Dean), Andrea Thompson (Jared), Mike Schultz (Sonya), Marc Schultz (Cathy), Chris Nite (Sherry), Liz Myrick (Sam), and Jon Nite (Krystal). She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren, two brothers and a sister and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be at the Kadoka Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Kadoka Presbyterian Church.
Guest Book
Just want your family to know you are being held up in love and prayer.
~ Bill & Mary Katherine Branum
Charleston, MO (2/23/2017)
I am so sorry for your loss, but so happy for your Mom's new address in Heaven; I can just see "Uncle" Gene greeting her!! (And Jesus, too.) I, too, taught VBS several summers in Western SD, under Uncle Gene's and Lova's guidance. Lova worked very hard to have craft kits and all sorts of things ready to go for the week. And still cooked us meals before we left! They were such a great team!! I know you have many memories also, and lots of us do, too. May God use your memories and "remember whens" to comfort you during this change in your lives. Love in Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer
~ Beryl (Addison) Geer
Gillette, WY (2/27/2017)
The Bushnell family is special to me. I learned so much from Lova. She was an amazing lady, with an immense knowledge under that quiet exterior. Our joy and peace is knowing she has gone home to her Lord. Love and prayers.
~ Justin or Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Rd, Philip SD (2/25/2017)
I had the privilege of teaching VBS and counseling at camp under the direction of "Uncle" Gene and Lova. Precious memories. Looking forward to seeing them again. Heaven waits.
~ Clarice Caldwell Roghair
Okaton, SD (2/25/2017)
I am very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. One encouraging thought you might find comforting is found at John 5:28, 29. “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” God gives us this beautiful hope that he will soon resurrect our dead loved ones and we can see them again on a paradise earth. If you’d like to learn more about this hope, you can visit jw.org.
~ Emily
(2/27/2017)
So sorry for your loss but know Lova was ready for heaven and reuniting with Gene, Mary, and others. She always grabbed my hand and said my name whenever I saw her at the home.
~ Pam and Keith Bonenberger
Kadoka (2/28/2017)
Thinking of you all at this time and happy to know she is in a better place.
~ Judy (Sell) Studer
Sterling IL (2/25/2017)
To all of Lova's family I say, she is one of the pillars of faith in my mind and heart. Camp was the highlight of my childhood, and I remember her and your Dad always faithful. I think now about how much work that was for them. I pray for comfort, healing and peace for you in your loss. Nothing will ever replace your Mom, but memories and her voice you hear are God's gift for the rest of your journey. I love the photo as that's how I remember her with that big smile. For all those who remember Long Pine Bible Camp, here's something I wrote a few years ago about what camp meant to me.
Beverly TraverCopyright August 26, 2011
1413 E. Woodman Dr.by Beverly Shippy Traver
Tempe, AZ 85283
Back on Mount Sinai Again
I opened the window early this morning drawing in a long slow deep breath. As I savored the moist smell of the pine forest, I thought, “I’m back on Mount Sinai again,” and I smiled.
Immediately I was a child again, as the smell of the pines transported me to a Bible Camp near Long Pine, Nebraska. Beginning at age four or five, I’d go with Mom, one of the volunteer cooks. Too young to be an official “camper,” I got to run and play all day with the director’s daughter, Kathy Bushnell. Then FINALLY, when I turned eight, I LOVED participating in all the camp activities.
It was so exciting to sleep in a cabin with the girls and a counselor rather than with the cooks. Of course there were quiet times of study and classes, but no problem. I had learned to be quiet during those years as a cook’s kid. Mom once threatened to “stuff a rag in my mouth,” if I didn’t be quiet while the campers were in class. I got the message.
I loved SO many things about camp: swimming every day (girls in one location on the river and boys in another); softball, volleyball and so many fun games like tetherball and team treasure hunts; the fun teachers and counselors who loved to tease, and making them get up and tell a story or run around the building while we ate. We’d sing, “What’ll we do with Uncle Gene…(repeat 2x)… at our evening meal? Make him get up and tell a story…(repeat 2x)… at our evening meal.”
It’s all coming back – so many fun memories and important life-lessons stand out, like Uncle Elmer’s often-repeated, “God cannot tell a lie.”
We woke up early in the morning as we climbed “Mt. Sinai,” past the pine trees that twinkled with dew, enhancing their wonderful smell. Up there we’d sit quietly while a staff person set the tone for the day with a devotional lesson. Then we’d race to the bottom to get a good spot in line for breakfast.
So when I smell the pine forest now, I run and play as a child in my mind. The fresh pure air in this small community of Pinetop, Arizona clears my lungs, sinuses, and even my whole body, but it also bathes my mind and my spirit. Along with the quiet stillness, it clarifies my thinking as patterns and priorities and inspiration emerge.
I look forward to many mornings on this quiet deck, to remember and dream. Here where life slows to a livable pace, I can live fully, as I notice all my senses and grow truly aware of the moment at hand. Nature gives us such rich opportunity. I am blessed indeed! These are the moments, when I feel fully connected with my spirit, that allow me to interact in a deep and special way with THE Spirit and listen and grow.
The people who built that camp knew something. They brought many of us prairie farm kids to an extra special place of beauty, where we could get acquainted with the Spirit, the One Who dreamed up beauty and trees and rivers. Like Joyce Kilmer wrote, “Poems were made by fools like me, but only God could make a tree.”
For one week every summer, I lived in the rich beauty of pine trees, where I felt truly alive and free from all distractions. I’d pack my suitcase a month ahead of time and pray that nothing would happen to prevent me from going to camp. “Even heaven couldn’t be that good,” I remember thinking at the time.
Now many years later, we have a healing and inspiring forest refuge of our own on Pinetree Lane, and I’m back on Mt Sinai again.
~ Beverly Shippy Traver
Pinetop, AZ (3/8/2017)
My deepest sympathy to your family. Having grown up in the Norris Community your family was a steady part of my life. Hugs and prayers for you all.
~ Coleen Berry Kayras
Sturgis, South Dakota (2/23/2017)
Your family is in my prayers.
~ Teresa Showmaker
Charleston, MO (2/23/2017)
Hugs and prayers!
~ Jackie, Mason & Madison Stilwell
Kadoka (2/24/2017)