Erika Buse, 77, of Owatonna, died on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

She was born July 22, 1948, in Bevensen, West Germany to John and Hanna (Kosterke) Buse. Erika and her parents immigrated from Germany to the United States in 1952. They lived in Good Thunder and Mapleton before settling in Owatonna in 1955.

Erika graduated from Owatonna High School with the class of 1966. She started working at Northwestern Bell/ U.S. West after high school and worked there for 35 years until their closing in 2001. She then worked for the 1st Baptist Church for 10 years as a part-time custodian.

Erika is survived by her sister, Ruth. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Hanna

Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.