Layne "Bing" Edward Bucher

Layne “Bing” Edward Bucher, 89, of Zumbrota, passed away peacefully on May 24th, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Bing was born December 16th, 1936, to Edward and Matie Bucher, and grew up in Berne, MN. He attended country school through the eighth grade before graduating from West Concord High School. He joined the National Guard for a short time, and was a salesman at Bucher’s Implement and Sears. Early on, Bing was a dreamer, someone who showed the people around him what was possible if you never give up.

On September 9th, 1961, he married Kathryn Horky, the love of his life, and together they built a life they loved, 63 years of marriage, raising a family rooted in West Concord, and eventually a life in Zumbrota where they worked to turn a dream into something real, opening the Zumbrota Dairy Queen and running it as a family for nearly 40 years. He was an entrepreneur, an ideas man and his wife was his partner who made his dreams a reality. They traveled around selling mini donuts to put their kids through college, and eventually started Zumbrota Mini Storage as well.

What people who knew Bing will remember most is not what he accomplished, but how he made them feel. He had a rare and genuine curiosity about people and their lives, their stories, where they came from and where they were going. He was the kind of man who could make a stranger feel like a friend within minutes.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Zumbrota, a lifelong fan of Twins baseball, a lover of sweet treats and oldies music, and a man who never passed up a long ride in his Ford Mustang Convertible. He enjoyed many travels with his wife and grandkids all over, especially visiting Florida each winter to escape the cold and watch spring training games.

One of his greatest gifts was his laugh. Infectious, genuine, and completely his own, it filled every room he walked into. His family will carry that laugh, and his goofy, one-of-a-kind spirit, with them always.

He is survived by his children, Steve (Linda) Bucher of West Concord, Joan (Dan Thoreson) Bucher of Zumbrota, and John (Sandi) Bucher of Kasson; grandchildren, Jacob Bucher, Shelby (Christopher) Schley, Sara (Maclan) Bushlack, Vince Thoreson, Kari Thoreson, Paige (Preston Loyek) Bucher, and Megan Bucher; and great-grandchildren, Adeline Bushlack, Eva Bushlack, Harper Schley, Hadley Schley, and a baby Bushlack and baby Schley on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Matie Bucher; his beloved wife, Kathryn Bucher; and his siblings, Larry Bucher and Latona Hogle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Zumbrota with visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM at Mahn Funeral Home. Burial will be at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Zumbrota. Memorials are preferred to the Church of St. Paul, Zumbrota Area Ambulance, and Zumbrota Area Fire Department. Online condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel.