Louise Bush, 86, of West Richland, WA passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones.
Myrtle Louise McDowell Bush was born on September 5, 1938, to John Lawerence McDowell and Artice Marie Warren in Camas, Washington. She was the oldest of 5 children. Louise spent her early years growing up in Washougal, WA where she attended school and spent time playing with her siblings and cousins. She married Wayne Johnson and together they had 4 children. One child, a twin, was still born. They later adopted a little girl. When that marriage ended after 17 years, Louise spent a couple of years finding her new normal and eventually moved to the Tri-cities to be closer to her two sisters. It was there that she met Richard (Dick) Bush, and they were married on October 28, 1977.
One year later on October 28, 1978 Louise and Dick were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple, fulfilling her heart’s desire as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be married in the temple. They spent 33 years growing in love and friendship until Dick’s passing on November 14, 2010. She missed him every day she spent without him.
Louise was a hard worker and tried her hand at many jobs over the years from working in a mobile home factory to managing dental offices. If she didn’t know how to do something she would figure it out. She kept her house spotless until her health made that impossible and that really bothered her. She successfully managed the challenges of severe diabetes for over 65 years before succumbing to it and its accompanying complications. She worked to keep a positive attitude as she faced the many challenges that life threw her way.
As her eyesight continued to fail, she was so grateful for audio books that she could listen to. She continued to read (with a magnifying glass) her scriptures every day. She served faithfully in many positions at church and missed not being able to attend due to her failing health issues. She loved doing family history work and just this past month was so excited to find a relative that had eluded her for over 30 years, with the help of her niece.
Louise was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandma, aunt and friend. She will be missed so much but her example will not be forgotten.
Louise was proceeded in death by her husband, Richard Bush, her son Thomas Johnson, her parents, John and Artice McDowell, her sister, Linda Sillito, and her brothers John and Stephen McDowell.
She is survived by her children, Wayne Johnson, Lori (Brian) Davis, Tim (Michelle) Johnson, and Tonya Johnson, her sister Vicki (Marv) Thurgood, her stepchildren, Ron, James and Bill Bush, Marlene Suarez and Rhonda Norling and by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services for Louise will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Paradise Bldg. at 4500 Maple Lane, West Richland, WA. The Viewing will be from 11 am until 11:55 am in the Relief Society Room. Her service will begin at 12 noon with Interment to follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1401 South Union, Kennewick, WA.
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M. Louise Bush