VERONA/MCFARLAND/MADISON- Travis J. Busse of Verona, passed away at age 24 on Oct. 14, 2017. Travis was born at Beale Air Force Base in California, on March 5, 1993, to David Busse and Shari Klessig. Travis moved to McFarland when he was six months old. He graduated from McFarland High School in 2011, briefly attended Madison College, and worked a variety of jobs in Madison. Since July 2016, Travis had worked as a landscaper for S & K Automotive & Landscaping in Sun Prairie. He was very proud of his work there and extremely happy to be a part of the S & K family. And for the first time in his life, he listened to country music just like his mom.

Travis was a loving son, a loyal friend, and an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He was a smart, funny, caring, and hardworking young man. Described by his closest friends, "Travis was a great friend with a huge heart. He was understanding and caring, loyal and loving. He made people feel comfortable. He was always willing to listen to someone's problems to try and help them find a solution. He made his friends feel like they mattered and the focus was on each other when they were together. Travis was brave. He was outgoing, witty, and loved to make people laugh. If he wanted to have a good time, he went out of his way to ensure everyone was going to have a great time as well. He always knew how to make you smile." Travis was also a young man with a substance use disorder…a disease that is misunderstood by so many, a disease that he tried to fight but that was bigger than him in the end. It is the hope of his family that others who are struggling with addiction issues will seek out the help they need.

Travis is survived by his mother, Shari (Brian) Klessig; father, David (Randi) Busse; his brothers, Zachary (Christina) Grulke, and Cody Grulke; his sister, Elizabeth Busse. He is further survived by his paternal grandparents, Kay Strauman, and James (Barbara) Busse; his step-grandparents, Barb (Allan) Koch, and Bob (Maggie) Klessig; a nephew, many aunts, uncles, and cousins; a great group of friends who loved him very much, and his calico cat CJ (better known as "Fatness" even though she is anything but fat…). He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Thomas and JoAnn Muchow; and his paternal step-grandfather, Richard Strauman.

Arrangements were made by Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care in Monona. Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, from 4p.m. until 7p.m. Those considering an expression of sympathy may make donations to the Dane County Humane Society, www.giveshelter.org/donate, where Travis adopted CJ when he was 9 years old.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420