Karl W. Fuerste 1927-2006

BROWN, FUERSTE, LONGHURST, FELKNER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/20/2006 at 17:51:18

Karl W. Fuerste

Karl W. Fuerste, 79, of Columbia City, Ind., formerly of Grand Rapids Mich., and Dubuque, died at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2006.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date. The DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Fuerste's business allowed him to live in many places in the Midwest. In addition to Dubuque, he also lived, for periods of time, in St. Louis, St. Paul, Minn., Grand Rapids, Mich., Milwaukee, Stuart, Fla., and Columbia City. He did actuarial work for several life insurance companies, later becoming a consulting actuary in Chicago. He also was responsible for forming two life insurance companies in Michigan, where he lived until his retirement to Stuart, Fla., in 1991.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1927, in Duluth, Minn., son of Frederick "Fritz" and June "Mimi" (Brown) Fuerste.

Most of his early life was spent in Dubuque, where he attended Senior High School, graduating in 1944. He played varsity football and was a member of the National Honor Society.

He joined the Navy shortly after high school, serving in World War II, and was discharged in 1946.

He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1948, then continued his studies there, receiving his master of science in mathematics degree in 1952. He also was a teaching assistant during graduate school.

Surviving are his wife, June Fuerste, of Columbia City; a son, Karl W. Jr. (Nancy) Fuerste. of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a daughter, Rachel Diane (Randy) Longhurst, of Milford, Mich.; a brother William C. (Margaret) Fuerste, of Dubuque; four grandchildren, Jason Longhurst, of Waterford, Mich., Krystin Longhurst, of Milford, Angela (Pete) Felkner, and Erik Fuerste, both of Fort Wayne; and a great-grandchild, Logan Michael Felkner, of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frederick Fuerste Jr.; and sister-in-law, Marion (Skagen) Fuerste.

Memorials may be sent to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814, in Mr. Fuerste's memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Wednesday, May 24, 2006

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