Donald Lee Dusanek

Donald Lee Dusanek was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Wyoming, Iowa, to Louie and Mildred (Heasty) Dusanek. He graduated from Wyoming High School in 1951 and attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids for two years before joining the U.S. Army as a member of the 1st Infantry Division. Following his military service, Don attended Upper Iowa University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1957. He married Joyce Potter on June 25, 1954, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Iowa.

Don spent most of his career working for the U.S. Government, retiring from the Corps of Engineers at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill.

Don was a caring husband, a dedicated father and a loving grandfather.

He was an outstanding high school and college athlete, excelling at both baseball and basketball. He coached Little League Baseball for many years, and was an avid and lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Don also enjoyed golfing, playing cards, cooking and spending time with family and friends. He was a consummate storyteller, and with a razor-sharp memory for detail, Don loved to weave a tale for both young and old. In recent years, he spent many hours conducting genealogical research and building the family tree. Don always put his family first, and made them proud by being a devoted caretaker to his late wife through several years of failing health.

Don is survived by one daughter, Dori (David) Pirkl of North Liberty; one son, Darin Dusanek of Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren, Addison and Emma Pirkl; and two brothers, Larry Dusanek of Fort Madison and Robert Dusanek of Fort Pierce, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Joyce, who passed on Feb. 17, 2010.

Donald Lee Dusanek, 79, of Iowa City, formerly of Wyoming, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Private graveside services will be held at Wyoming Cemetery in Wyoming, Iowa.

Published Jan. 18, 2013 in The Gazette