Camp Courageous extends its deepest sympathy to Audrey Busse and to the family and friends of Laverne Busse, 85, of Marion, upon his passing.

Camp Courageous first began working with Laverne in 1980, when he helped found and began working for Teleconnect, Inc., alongside many other Camp Courageous Board members and friends of the organization at that time. In 1988, Teleconnect merged with SoutherNet to form Telecom USA, which became the fourth-largest long-distance company in the country. MCI Communications purchased Telecom USA in 1990. Laverne founded Busse Investments, Inc., in 1989, where he worked alongside his son, Jeff.

Giving back to the people of Iowa became a lifelong passion for Laverne and Audrey. They believed that the more one gave, the more it came back many times over. To further that mission, they established the Busse Foundation, ensuring their commitment to serving others would continue for generations to come.

Camp Courageous is honored to be one of the many charities that has benefited from their generosity. Laverne and Audrey’s legacy will live on through the hundreds of projects, scholarships, and countless other acts of generosity they have made possible—and through the lives they will continue to touch for generations to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Audrey, their family, and all who knew and loved Laverne.

-Charlie Becker