Dolores “Dee” Bush, age 84, was called home to be with the Lord on March 23, 2026 at the Jefferson County Health Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Ross Epping as celebrant. A private burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will occur prior to the Mass from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the Church.
Dee was born July 12, 1941 in Washington, Iowa to Elmer and Anna (Hertig) Stalder. She graduated from Washington High School in 1959. She married David Bush on August 7, 1963. He passed away in 1983.
Dee was a devoted servant of Jesus. She rarely missed an opportunity to share her faith with others and care for those who had no one. She was compassionate and giving, always putting others first. She never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.
While Dee was a cosmetologist by trade in her early years, her joy was being a wife and mother. Her home was home to many children throughout the years where friends of her daughters gathered to play, hang out, or share a home cooked meal. Dee was the biggest cheerleader for her daughters and grandchildren. She attended as many sporting events as she could cheering everyone on, including all their teammates. She enjoyed baking and shared her famous Christmas sugar cookies with many around town. She could also be found working in her flower garden and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. When her children were grown, she began working for Dr. Jim Watson and Medical Arts Clinic, retiring in 2007.
Dee will be missed by her two daughters, Susan (Tom) Silvers of Fairfield and Sara Lisk of Urbandale, IA; four grandchildren, Whitney (Andrej) Klaric of Huxley, IA, Taylor (Brent) Buch of Fairfield, Jacob Lisk of West Des Moines and Ally Lisk of Iowa City; 5 great-grandchildren, Lukas and Mateo Klaric and Leah, Kasey and Layne Buch; brother-in-law, Jack Genkinger of Washington, IA; and several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dave; two brothers, James and Roger Stalder; and one sister, JoAnn Genkinger.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at Jefferson County Health Center for the amazing care and support provided. Even while hospitalized, she made new friends and lasting impressions. They would also like to thank the staff at The Oaks and Parkview for caring for their mom over the last three years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or any of the Ronald McDonald Houses. Behner Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.