Thomas Bush

Thomas D. Bush, 76, Junction City, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at his home.

He was born Jan. 27,1942, in Algona, Iowa, the son of the late Donald and Alice (Wells) Bush. He married Elaine Holthaus on March 26, 1965, in Decorah, Iowa. She survives.

It is difficult at best to put into words the great guy Tom was and the wonderful life he lived.

Tom grew up in Calmer, Iowa. After graduating high school in 1960, Tom attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and then transferred to Ohio State to finish his Physical Therapy degree. After graduating college in 1966, he moved to Rockford, Illinois to start his first job.

In 1971 Tom and Elaine and three kids moved to Schaumburg, Illinois where Tom started a new job as the Director of Physical Therapy at Northwest Community Hospital. Shortly after, Tom started a business called Arlington Physical Therapy. For 22 years Tom and his partner grew Arlington Physical Therapy to be an amazing success. Tom’s business success allowed him a great life of traveling with his family to Colorado skiing, golfing in Florida and endless trips to Lake Dubay in Wisconsin.

After retiring at age 55, Tom and Elaine permanently moved to Wisconsin to live on Lake Dubay. For the past 15 years Tom and Elaine loved spending their winters in Arizona. Here is where they met amazing friends, golfed and hiked their favorite mountains.
Tom loved sports, especially golf, football, & auto racing. His favorite team, and alma mater was the Ohio State Buckeyes. On any given day, Tom would be wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt or Titleist hat. His love of the Buckeyes and Chicago Bears made rivalries extra fun amongst family & friends. Tom spent his free time painting, wood working and doing projects in his boat garage.

Tom was a guy that had many names; Dad, Tommy, Busher and Bushwacker. All these names describe the fun times we had!

Tom and Elaine were married for 53 years and will forever be best friends!

Survivors, besides his wife, Elaine, include three children, Joanne (Mike) Petrey, Schaumburg, Ill., Shelly (Kevin) Mullins, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Scott Bush, Junction City; and six grandchildren, Britten and Mike Petrey, Connor, Katie and Megan Mullins, and Ethan Bush.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Donald Meuret will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Monday until time of services at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.bestefh.com.