Marlynn "Lynn" Delia (Larkey) Buske

Marlynn “Lynn” Delia (Larkey) Buske, age 81, of Lexington, SC, and formerly of Forest Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026. She was born on July 10, 1945, in St. Paul, MN.

After growing up on a farm in Hugo, MN, Lynn swore she would never live on one again; however, she and her husband, Ralph, eventually returned to those roots. During the 1970's, they embraced a "back-to-nature" lifestyle, raising animals and tending to a massive garden. Lynn was a master of self-sufficiency, becoming an expert in gardening, canning, freezing, and dehydrating—even perfecting her own "fruit leather" long before it was popular. While she held several jobs over the years, including a career in real estate, her first priority was always her family. After her children graduated from high school, she retired to focus full-time on quilting.

In 1996, Lynn and Ralph relocated to Lexington, SC, officially leaving their snow shovels behind to embrace Southern life. Lynn became a pillar of her new community by building a network of quilters.

Next to her family, quilting was Lynn’s greatest passion. A gifted artist with a flair for color, she created more than 500 quilts in her lifetime, many of which were donated to families in need and to Quilts of Valor. Her work earned numerous awards, including a state fair grand champion title, and was featured in prestigious national shows in Paducah and Houston. Her quilts even traveled as far as Japan. Lynn was also a talented designer, teacher, and lecturer who took great joy in encouraging and teaching new quilters.

Her creative talents extended beyond sewing to drawing, painting, crocheting, knitting, and ceramics. As a skilled wool spinner, she even demonstrated the "sheep-to-yarn" process for schools and other local venues. In her leisure time, Lynn enjoyed traveling, reading, and "rescuing" Cabbage Patch Dolls from garage sales.

Lynn will be dearly missed by her husband of nearly 60 years, Ralph Buske. She was a devoted mother to Shelli (Jim) Matheson and Robert (Beth) Buske, and a proud grandmother to Josh Matheson, Jake (Lauren) Matheson, Laura Givens, and Claire Givens. Lynn absolutely adored her great-grandchildren: Avah, Tyler, Zachary, and Alexander Matheson.

Lynn is survived by her siblings: Marie Thurner (Rick), Maxine “Dolly” Taylor (Dwight), Bill (Kim) Bartusch, and Marge Alden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and O’Delia Larkey, and her brother, Will Bartusch.