Kenneth Marlin Busness

Ken was born May 25, 1934 in Sioux Falls, SD to Clarence and Myrtle Busness. He passed on to be with the Lord on 12/29/2025. His early years were spent in Sioux Falls, where he graduated from Washington High School in 1952, and continued studies at Augustana College. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and the South Dakota Air National Guard as a communication and navigation systems specialist for fighter aircraft from 1953 until 1963. Aviation and electronics were always main interests throughout his life. Ken was a pilot and aircraft owner. He was also an amateur radio operator.

On June 5, 1955, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Donna Martin. In 1963, they moved to Rapid City, SD where Ken earned his degree in electrical engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Following graduation in 1966, they moved to Kennewick, WA, where Ken began his career of 29 years with Battelle (now Pacific Northwest National Laboratory). They welcomed their son Kevin into the family in 1967.

While at Battelle, he worked with computer systems and instrument development in support of research aircraft studies. He also earned a Master's degree in electrical engineering at Washington State University and was a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Washington. His job involved many travels throughout the US and world conducting environmental studies with Battelle research aircraft.

Following his retirement in 1995, he worked as a computer systems consultant for several years. Donna and Ken formed KD Krafts and participated in many craft shows in the Tri-Cities area selling their various sewn fabric products.

Ken and Donna spent many hours with friends at Canyon Lakes Golf Course, playing in couples' groups and in many other events. He cherished his many golf buddies in the Canyon Lakes Net Gangsome, both on and off the course.

They attended church at West Highlands United Methodist Church and South Hills Church. Ken was a member of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Men's Club. He was a Cougars, Mariners and Seahawks fan. Ken was a listener, a man of few words (you never have to explain or defend what you don't say), and a patriot who loved his country and treated others with kindness and respect. He believed in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Although they were many miles away, Ken dearly loved his surviving family, son Kevin, grandchildren Kurt and Kyla Busness, and brother Dale Heither (Sandy). He was preceded in death by Donna, his best friend and loving wife of 61 years, and his parents.

Services will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday, January 8th, at 1:00pm.

Memorial donations are welcomed for a charity of your choice. Ken's favorite charities were children's hospitals, veteran's organizations, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, and the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy.