Lastuvka, Joseph V. 1925-2013

LASTUVKA, KOLB, HARRIS, FLATTERY, GELINAS, TURNER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/9/2017 at 13:09:21

Joseph V. Lastuvka
1925-2013
Des Moines

Joseph V. Lastuvka, 87, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013 at Senior Suites of Urbandale, after many years of battling Parkinson's Disease. He was born February 27, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, IA, the son of Joseph P. Lastuvka and Elsie H. Lastuvka. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 14 at St. Mary's of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Dr., Des Moines, IA 50310. Family will greet friends Wednesday evening at Brooks Funeral Care, 7975 University Blvd., Clive, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m. Burial with military honors will take place at St. John's Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Following graduation from St. Wenceslaus High School in Cedar Rapids, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II where he became a crew member on B-24 bombers. In 1950 he graduated from Indiana Technical College, returned to Cedar Rapids to work for Howard R. Green Engineering as a civil engineer, and later became a certified structural engineer employed by Karl Keffer Associates in Des Moines.

Being forced into early retirement by his illness gave him the opportunity to devote full attention to honing his artistic skills. It became a life-long passion, winning praises, including a first place award in the non-professional art category at the Women's Club.

Joe married his Amana sweetheart, Henriette Kolb, in 1952. He is also survived by their four children, Mary (Alan) Harris, Amy Flattery, Tom (Sue Ann) Lastuvka, and Carol Lastuvka. Grandchildren include Kendra Gelinas, Brittany Harris, Sean Flattery, Michael Lastuvka, Rachel Lastuvka, and Aaron Lastuvka. Doris Turner, his sister, survives, and preceding him in death were his brother, Leo, and his parents.

All of Joe's family will forever feel gratitude to the "angels at Senior Suites". They're the best of the best. Also a heartfelt thanks to the folks from HCI Hospice. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Attn.: Tribute Gifts, Church St. Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780. ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa Tues 12 Feb 2013.