Merlin Daniel "Ducky" "Duck" Artus 1918-2004

ARTUS, JONAS, MOHRMAN, NEUHAUS, BIGHAM

Posted By: cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 8/1/2019 at 21:28:40

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Merlin Daniel "Ducky" "Duck" Artus, 86, of 1080 Boyer St., died at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, surrounded by his family, following a long battle with emphysema.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, where there will be a flag presentation by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Visitation was held from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road. Friends also may call after 10 a.m. today at the church.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1918, in Dubuque, son of George and Lulu (Jonas) Artus. He married Betty Mohrman on Nov. 27, 1947, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona, Iowa.

He attended public schools in Dubuque. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, helping to build state parks throughout Iowa.

He joined the Air Force in October 1942 and served in Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Azore Islands. He was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. He received the Good Conduct Medal, ETO and the Victory Medal.

He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for nearly 34 years, retiring in 1980. After retirement, he served as a John Deere tour ambassador for 18 years.

Surviving are his wife, Betty; three children, Dan (Linda) Artus, of Viola, Ill., Ruth (Dan) Neuhaus, of Dubuque, and Karen Artus, of Fitchburg, Wis.; four grandchildren, Joshua (Rachel) Neuhaus, of Annapolis, Md., Nicole (fiance, Nick Connolly) Neuhaus, of Dubuque, Aaron Artus, of Keithsburg, Ill., and Carrie (Jeremy) Bigham, of Moline, Ill.; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two children, Lynn and Terry; his parents; and a brother, Donald.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be given to St. Peter Lutheran Church, The Finley Hospital and Luther Manor.

The family would like to thank the third floor medical and respiratory therapy staff and Chaplain David Pacholke at The Finley Hospital and Dr. Ronald Schope and his nurse, Lorie, for the care they provided.