Glen Kusel

Glen Allen Kusel was born Jan. 11, 1926 in Carroll, IA; the only child of Elsie (Kusel) and Otto Schroeder. He grew up in the Westside area and graduated from Westside High School where he loved to play basketball. In May 1944 he graduated and then reported to Ft. Leavenworth, KS, where he was inducted into the Army. He was a paratrooper and marksman and served overseas. He was honorably discharged in January 1947. While serving in the Army he met his wife Arlene Subbert at a dance. The couple married July 14, 1946 in Carroll and moved to Ft. Benning, GA, where Glen was stationed at the time. Following his discharge they moved to Manning which has been their lifetime home. Glen became a member of Zion Lutheran Church as an adult, taking instruction from Rev. J. R. Ansorge. God blessed the couple with four daughters, Pamela Jean, Connie Jo, Jerilyn Joy and Carlys June. Glen sold State Farm Insurance for a short time, and then worked at Priebe & Sons before going into the hatchery business. He partnered with Ross Graner to operate G&R Hatchery on Hwy. 141, and when the partnership dissolved, it continued as Glen's Hatchery. The business sold feed, hatched and sold baby chicks to a wide area, and collected eggs from area farmers. Glen later bought a bulldozer and dump truck and operated Kusel Dozer Service. He dug basements, did dirt work for farmers, and hauled rock and dirt until his failing eyesight forced him to retire in the 1990s. Unable to no longer drive, he remained busy with his hands. The long-time journal-keeper learned to use the computer and continued to record life and create greeting cards. He found great pleasure in painting and crafting boxes of all sizes, a hobby he continued after moving to the Manning Plaza with Arlene in August 2011. During his life Glen was a bowler and golfer. He was a Chicago Cubs fan and loved to play cards with family and friends. Glen was a member of the American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517. He enjoyed people and maintained a grateful outlook on life, even as his sight, hearing and mobility continued to diminish. He was a role model for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to his face with their visits. In July Glen and Arlene celebrated 69 years of marriage with family, friends and a game of cards. On September 22, 2015 Arlene died at the age of 88 years. Glen was able to be with her even though he too had many health problems. He died shortly after her on October 19, 2015 at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 8 days. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Arlene Kusel and son-in-law Alan Kusel. He is survived by his four daughters Pamela Kusel of Manning, Connie Walter and husband Ivan of Denver, CO, Jerilyn Kusel of Virginia Beach, VA, Carlys Stribe and her husband Allen of Manning; six grandchildren Amy Benton and husband Brad of Manning, Beth Vitiritto and husband Brad of Ankeny, IA, David Buzzard and wife Michelle of Virginia Beach, VA, Nathan Buzzard of Virginia Beach, VA, Jennifer Morris and husband Alan of Manning and Scott Stribe of Mt. Pleasant; ten great-grandchildren: Miranda, McKenna and Mason Benton, Jarrett Vitiritto, Camden, Brennen and Harper Morris, Ryan, Charlotte and Mariah Buzzard; as well as other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the Manning Plaza Sound System Fund in Glen's name. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA REVEREND JONATHAN CONNER, OFFICIATING MUSIC "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES" "I'M BUT A STRANGER HERE, HEAVEN IS MY HOME" CONGREGATION DR. J. GORDON CHRISTENSEN, ORGANIST ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA CASKET BEARERS ALAN MORRIS SCOTT STRIBE MIKE JACOBSON BRAD BENTON BRAD VITIRITTO BUD BORCHERDING INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS AMERICAN LEGION EMIL EWOLDT POST 22 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3517 MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the church following the committal service.