Obituary of Francis Schuster

Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2005, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 5:00 p.m., a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. and American Legion Post 137 service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 24, 2005, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, in Dyersville, Iowa with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Jerry Kopacek and military rights will be accorded by the American Legion Post 137. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine of Dyersville, his daughter, Carol (Harvey) Frederick of Dubuque, 3 grandchildren: Mike Soens, Jayne (Charles) DeBrular both of Phoenix, AZ and Tom Soens of Lake Delhi; 3 great-grandchildren: Tyler Soens, Brady and Cody DeBrular; a step-great-grandson, Matt Glanz, a brother, Howard (Delpha) Schuster of Dyersville, a brother-in-law, Harley (Peggy) Stull of St. Louis Park, MN, 3 sisters-in-law: Mary (LaVerne "Mish") Schaetzle and Clarabelle Baum both of Dyersville and Lucille Loes of Chicago, IL; 5 step-grandchildren: Terry Frederick, Lori (David) Ziegenfuss, Shari Frederick, Suzanne (Tim) Monahan and Tammy (Dennis) Lange and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Marge, and a daughter Lois at age 21; 4 brothers: Joseph, Wilfred, Melvin and Earl Schuster; 2 sisters-in-law: Jan Vorwald and Donna Dalton and 6 brothers-in-law: Harry Loes, Bob and John Stull, Gerald Baum, Jack Dalton and Dick Vorwald. Jake was born on March 9, 1914 in Bernard, Iowa, the son of John H. and Anna (Takes) Schuster. He married Marguerite "Marge" Stull on October 21, 1935 in Dubuque, Iowa. She preceded him in death on April 27, 1974. They had 2 children: Lois Ann and Carol Jane. He later married Lorraine Loes Holscher on May 2, 1975 at St. Francis Xavier Rectory, Dyersville, Iowa. Jake attended grade school in Cascade and St. Pat's in North Garryowen and at St. Berchman's Boys School in Marion, IA. He attended St. Francis Xavier High School in Dyersville and graduated in 1933. Jake then attended Bayless Business College in Dubuque for one year before serving in WWII. After his basic training in North Carolina, Jake served the Army Medical Corp. in Chester, England, then served 11 months in the United States until the end of the war. During his working years, Diamonds Cafeteria and Hartig Drug Co, both in Dubuque, employed Jake. He also managed Wimpy's Restaurant in the downtown Chicago Loop. Then in 1949 he moved back to Dyersville with his family and worked at Scherrmans Motor Co. then at Crescent Electric in Dubuque and East Dubuque in the computer dept. where he retired in 1979 after 25 years. Jake enjoyed bowling, fishing, golfing, playing cards, woodworking and gardening. He was an avid stamp and coin collector. Jake enjoyed his grandchildren and working on the Schuster genealogy with his brother, Howard. Jake was a member of the American Legion Post 137, Knights of Columbus Council 1734, Dyersville Area Historical Society, Dyersville Garden Club and a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Jake was a warm and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He touched many hearts. Thanks so much to the staffs at Ennoble Manor in Dubuque and Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville, to the people with Hospice of Dubuque, to Father Kopacek and to the many relatives and friends that have given us so much comfort and support during this last while. You all have our heartfelt gratitude.