Laurel Platt Busch

Laurel Busch Obituary

Laurel Platt Busch, 82, passed away in San Juan Regional Hospital in Farmington, New Mexico on the morning of November 10, 2022.

Laurel was born to John Lloyd Platt and Jeanetta Scott Platt on September 7, 1940 at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City to loving parents, siblings, and extended family.

Laurel graduated from South High School and worked for Utah Power and Light as a clerk before going on a mission to the Southwest Indian Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  She loved those she worked with (Navajo and Hopi).

Laurel was an active member of the church all her life and served in many callings

Her missionary experience prompted her to attend BYU and obtain a degree in education.

Laurel worked for the Office of Navajo Economic Opportunity teaching Head Start as one of the very first Head Start teachers on the Reservation. There she met her future husband Owen Busch who was a plumber and Pipe Fitter doing maintenance for the Tribe.

After graduation from BYU, Laurel accepted a position as a teacher for the Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, New Mexico. She continued to work for them for the rest of her teaching career.

She married Owen Busch on October 23, 1969.

They eventually moved to Kirtland, New Mexico and Owen worked as a plumber.  Owen passed away September 3,2011.

Laurel is survived by her daughters , Johanna Taylor and Annika (Jeremy) Coleman, and son Andrew (Stephanie) Busch; brothers, Gerald (Beverly)Platt and John (Shauna) Platt, and sister, Lynne (Elmar)Gudat; 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and one great grandchild on the way.

Proceeded in death by her parents, husband Owen Busch, sons,  Joseph Owen Busch, and Samuel Hal Busch, sisters, Janet Platt and Myrna Platt Coates, brother Lloyd Easton Platt, and a granddaughter, Tatum Laurel Busch.

Laurel was a writer and had a weekly article in the Farmington Daily Times entitled Frankly Speaking.  She later compiled the articles into a book.  She also wrote poetry. Some of her poems are in her book A Few Daffodils.  Both books are on Amazon kindle and in paperback.

Laurel was greatly loved by those who knew her.  She had a friendly smile and a wonderful way of making people feel at ease.  She was always honest and caring.  She was a great example for her family and others.

Laurel’s life was not easy.  She had many difficult challenges.  She always rose to meet them with compassion and love.  She knew that it is through serving others that we as mortals can help bring Heaven near.

She did good deeds and met others needs

Showed kindness and a goodly heart

And always did her part.  To help bring Heaven near.

She is greatly missed.

Laurel’s funeral will be held Saturday November 19th in the LDS Chapel on the Kirtland Highway in Kirtland, New Mexico.  At 11:00 A.M. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M.