WWII veteran George (Buddy) Anthony Shurson passed away on Wednesday, September 16 at the New Richland Care Center. He was born on May 12, 1922. Buddy was the third of nine children born to Ben and Agnes Shurson in New Richland, MN. Buddy attended New Richland school and later entered the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in North Africa and eventually Foggia, Italy where he was an Engineer Gunner and a Waist Gunner on a B-17 bomber in the 15th Air Force. He flew 50 bombing missions during World War II over enemy occupied territory and also took part in the D-Day attack over France. Bud was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1945.
When he returned home, Buddy and his brother Merle were owners and operators of Shurson Brothers Trucking Company in New Richland. After several years with Shurson Brothers, Buddy began work with the Waseca County Highway Department. He recently said if he could still climb into one of those county snow plows, he would love to plow some snow again. Upon retirement from the county in 1985, Buddy soon began driving semis for Schue Trucking Company. Driving those semis for Troy and Chris was something Buddy loved doing. He did this until he was 81 years old. Buddy was an active community member in New Richland. He was one of the first drivers for the New Richland ambulance. Buddy was also a 25 year volunteer member of the local fire department. He was a 73-year member of the New Richland American Legion as well as the Waseca VFW. Buddy was a very patriotic man who attended and participated in many military funerals over his decades long membership in the local American Legion and VFW. Buddy was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed.
Buddy married Phyllis Andrews on November 9, 1947 in Titonka, Iowa. They lived their almost 71 years together in New Richland. Buddy and Phyllis enjoyed traveling (of course in his Chevrolet!). They made many driving trips to California, Texas, Arizona and Florida. Buddy and Phyllis also visited Hawaii and Washington, D.C. and while in D.C. they were able to see the WWII Memorial, which was very meaningful to this WWII Veteran. Bud and Phyllis also enjoyed going to Minnesota Twins games; and when not at a game they loved watching the Twins on TV. Buddy spent much of his recent time watching The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Family Feud and The History Channel. One of Buddy’s favorite things to do was playing cards. He missed those card games with his brothers, but eventually enjoyed playing with his sons-in-law, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Buddy always said people would ask him how he stayed so healthy for so many years and his response was always: “Marry a nurse” (and he did). He used to say the engraving he wanted on his gravestone was: “I told you I was sick.” Bud and Phyllis were once interviewed by Boyd Huppert of KARE 11 TV regarding the annual Valentine’s Day tradition of Bud giving Phyllis a heart-shaped box of candy and Phyllis hanging on to more than 50 of those boxes.
Bud is survived by his three daughters, Georgia (Dennis) Dinneen (of New Richland, MN), Debra (Joseph) Repya (of Fort Myers, FL) and LuRaye (Howard) Eischens (of Byron, MN), grandchildren Matthew (Jen) Dinneen, Kevin (Abby) Dinneen, Stephanie (Carson) Friend, Tyler Eischens, great-grandchildren, Madison and Ava Dinneen, Charles and Sterling Friend. and McKenna Dinneen. Bud is also survived by step-grandchildren Robyn White and her children Cooper and Watson, Molly (Eric) Geyen and their children Haylee, Bodhi, Jacob and Rose. Bud also leaves behind sister, Joan McGuire, and brother-in-law, Vince Peterson. Survivors also include Lorma Andrews, many nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, his parents, brothers Merle, Harold, Charles and Virgil and sisters Beatrice, Marjorie and Virginia. He was also preceded in death by sisters-in-law Shirley Shurson, Lorayne Shurson, Pat Shurson and brothers-in-law Leo Christenson and Roy Largent.
Funeral Services for George (Buddy) Shurson will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Reverend Charles Espe will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, New Richland. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m.. on Sunday and again from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Bonnerup/Friedrich Funeral Home is assisting the family.