Marie A. Bushard

Marie A. Bushard, age 83 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died on October 20, 2026, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye surrounded by the love of her family.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 3:45 p.m. prior to the visitation. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Nathan Hansen. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Marie Ann (Sellner) Bushard, the daughter of Florian and Florence (Huhn) Sellner, was born on November 12, 1942, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. The oldest of four siblings, Marie attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sleepy Eye. Following graduation, Marie worked at a local bank. On November 15, 1966, Marie married Leon Bushard at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. They began their married life traveling the country, moving wherever Leon’s military career took them, and raising five children along the way.

A hardworking farm girl, Marie’s greatest joy was raising her family in a home filled with love. As her children got older, she began what would become an accomplished career in food service and catering, beginning with funeral lunches in the church basement, then catering in the 4-H food stand at the Brown County Fair, and finally, spending the last 40+ years as a cook at St. Mary’s Catholic School while operating St. Mary’s Catering. To Marie, food was love; her heart was making sure everyone was fed. Cooking delicious meals not only fed people, but also brought conversation, connection, and relationships. What started with preparing meals years ago led to a lifetime of genuine care and concern for others that spanned generations and touched countless lives.

A faith filled woman, Marie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. She raised an impressive garden each summer. She enjoyed watching Minnesota sports, bowling, and fishing. Marie dearly loved her children and cherished spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She leaves a legacy of love, kindness, and the importance of making sure everyone is doing ok.

Marie is survived by daughters - Laurie and husband Greg Edick of Gibbon and Lisa and husband Todd Thoms of Maplewood; sons - Bob and wife Lois of Indiana, Dan and wife Denise of Marine on Saint Criox, and Kevin and wife Martha of Northfield; grandchildren - Shelly, Elizabeth, Matthew, Alicia, Amber, David, Nate, Tanner, Bryce, Riley, Will, Keegan, Tyler, Alyssa, Scott, Sean, and Seth; great-grandchildren - Dylan, Landon, Violet, Charlotte, and Hadleigh; sisters - Alice (Lenny) Walter of Clements and Lois Kuelbs of New Ulm; brother - Chuck (Karen) Sellner of Sleepy Eye; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brother-in-law Gordy.