John Thomas “Dusty” Dusterhoft, 15 Sept 1932 - 29 Jul 2016

DUSTERHOFT, DEDECKER, HAUNSPERGER, DUGGAN, KAPLER, HARMER, GEDDES, WALTERMYER, REZABEK, BLOMME

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 8/1/2016 at 16:52:42

John T. Dusterhoft
September 15, 1932 - July 29, 2016

John T. “Dusty” Dusterhoft passed away on July 29, 2016, following his courageous battle with cancer. He was a long-time resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dusty was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was a good friend to many.

Services: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church by the Rev. Carl A. Ries. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A Vigil service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family after the service until 7 p.m and again on Tuesday, after 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Dusty is survived by his wife Mary; his six children: Mona (John) Duggan, Teresa (Jeff) Kapler, Kathleen (Kyle) Harmer, Mary (Scott) Geddes, John (Daniela), and Ann (Brad) Waltermyer; his twin sisters: Mary Ann (Jack) Rezabek and Mary Lou Blomme; and his 13 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one step-great grandchild.

He will be welcomed into heaven by his father and mother, John Martin and Grace Elizabeth [DeDecker] Dusterhoft of Victor, Iowa; his baby daughter, Anne Marie; his two infant grandchildren, Joseph and Micki Duggan, and brother-in-law Ray Blomme.

Dusty was born in Iowa City and raised in Victor, Iowa. He met the love of his life, Mary (Haunsperger), while working in Cedar Rapids. They were married on May 16, 1959.

Dusty is a veteran of the Korean War, serving as an Airman First Class from March 1953 through March 1957. He was based out of Montgomery, Alabama and served in Okinawa, Japan. He worked as a dispatcher for the CRANDIC Railroad from 1961 through 1994. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve his country and was very proud of his years of employment with the railroad. He also worked part-time with Hy-Vee Food Stores for many years where he enjoyed greeting and chatting with the customers.

Dusty and Mary are members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Dusty shared his strong faith and his great love of music by volunteering as a cantor and lector, and he occasionally sang with the choir for many years. He also volunteered singing at local nursing homes where he brightened the spirits of many. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1952. He shared his love of baseball by coaching youth at St. Patrick’s elementary school for 14 years. He remained forever faithful to his beloved Chicago Cubs.

Dusty was known for his outgoing and charming personality. He had a gift for making people feel special. He had an optimistic nature and appreciated the simple things in life. He demonstrated and embraced his values of faith, family and friends. He was a great husband and role model to his children and grandchildren. He was very loving and always forgiving.

Dusty’s distinct laugh and joyful spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to the staff of St. Luke’s Hospital and Hospice Services, VA Hospitals and Clinics, and Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Amana for their loving care and support over the past few months.

Memorials may be directed to the Iowa City VA Health Care System at 601 Highway 6 W, Iowa City, IA 52246 or St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com

Teahen Funeral Home
The Gazette 31 Jul 2016, 8c
[middle name per his Mother's obituary]