Robert David Musser 1926 - 2010

WENTWORTH, MUSSER, PINNEY, THOMPSON, HENLEY, FENCL, BIALA, CLAUSEN, WENTHE, RURODEN, PAIGE

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 4/3/2010 at 09:09:22

Robert D. Musser, 83, of West Union, Iowa, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 18, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union. The Rev. Galen Smith officiated.

Providing music were organist/pianist Linda Johansen, guitarist Caleb Musser, harpist Otter Dreaming, and soloists Brandon Musser and Jim Clausen.

Interment was in the West Union Cemetery. Casket bearers were Robert Ruroden, Larry Ruroden, Danny Ruroden, John Fencl, Dalton Wenthe, Brandon Musser and Caleb Musser.

Honorary bearers were Greg Henley, Jim Henley, Roger Budensiek, Mike Ruroden, Joel Biala, Roger Krech and Lenny Stensland.

Arrangements were handled by Burnham-Wood Funeral Home, West Union.

Robert David Musser was born April 27, 1926, to Arthur "Pete" and Mildred (Wentworth) Musser in Auburn Township, northwest of West Union. He was baptized at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union.

He attended the Auburn school.

Robert worked and lived on his parents' farm until he entered the U.S. Army. He served two years in Germany during World War II.

On Dec. 27, 1947, Robert was united in marriage with Gerry Pinney of Elgin at First Baptist Church, Elgin. Three children, Jeanne, Karen and David Robert, were born to this union.

The couple lived in Elgin until moving to West Union in 1949.

Robert worked for Graham and Shank Lumberyard for a time after his discharge from the service. He was then the sausage superintendent for Elsheimer's Meat Products for 27 years. Later Robert was employed by Cuddahy Packing Co. in West Union and Iowa Ham in Oelwein. He retired in 1992.

Robert was a member of American Legion Post 54 in Elgin.

He was also a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, where he served as an usher for many years.

He helped with the Boy Scouts for many years. In his retirement years, he enjoyed cooking, spending time with his family and friends, daily coffee at Hardee's, Christmas shopping trips with Lenny, and giving "bear hugs" and "whisker rubs" to the little ones.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne; and a sister, Doris Thompson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gerry, of West Union; two daughters, Jeanne (Jim) Henley of Huntley, Ill., and Karen Fencl of West Union; and a son, David Musser of Des Moines.

Additional survivors include seven grandchildren, John Fencl of Las Vegas, Marcy (Joel) Biala of Clarendon Hills, Ill., Amy (Jim) Clausen of West Union, Greg Henley of Cedar Rapids, Brandon Musser of Davenport, Caleb Musser of Bettendorf, and Dashiell Musser of Des Moines; five great-grandchildren, Dalton Wenthe, Trent and Maddie Clausen, Chelsea and Dylan Biala; two sisters, Avis Ruroden of West Union and Shirley (Dane) Paige of Waterloo; many nieces and nephews.

Fayette County Union - 23 March 2010