Jessica Buske

Jessica “Jesse” Hodapp Buske, age 49, passed away on May 28, 2026, at her home in Madison. She was born on March 30, 1977, in Green Bay, Wisconsin to parents Phil and Nancy (Bye) Hodapp.

Jesse was a Tenney-Lapham, Marquette/Okeefe alum and 1995 graduate of East High School. During high school she competed in various sports, track and field being her strength, ultimately setting the school’s triple jump record. She married Ryan Buske on May 9, 1999, in Madison where they raised their two children. She was proud to call Madison her home and had a deep connection with the city’s values. Jesse grew up expressing herself through gymnastics, modern dance, and her creativity. Into adulthood, she was able to continue her artwork in various locations around Madison, painting murals, and portraits as gifts and commissioned pieces. Jesse had a very loyal work ethic within her professional career, at First American Title for over 30 years. She was deeply caring and protective over the people she worked with. Alongside her creative pursuits and protective nature, Jesse had a sharp sense of humor and loved to get a laugh from her elaborate pranks on unsuspecting family members and friends. Above all, Jesse’s greatest pride and joy were her children. They were the center of her world and she was always their biggest fan and supporter. She adored having the ability to travel for her children’s achievements, whether that be collegiate athletics or post college careers, which took her all around the United States. She was a motherly figure to their friends and always provided a safe and welcoming home for them to gather after school and on weekends. Jesse poured her heart into her children’s lives and the ones that they loved. She lent guidance, advice, and helped pave the way for them to have fulfilling futures.

Jesse will be forever missed and always remembered as incredibly strong, creative, determined, independent, encouraging, supportive, and truly humble. She wasn’t one to fold under pressure. Jesse had a tough core, and was never afraid to confront personal and public conflict.

Jesse’s mantra was “you may not like the truth, but the truth is all that you’ll get from me”.

Jesse is survived by her husband Ryan; her 2 children Casimir and Parker; parents Phil and Nancy; and her brother Nick.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 1:00 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N Sherman Ave, Madison. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.