Frank J. Duesterhaus, age 85, of Quincy, died on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 in Sunset Home.
He was born on January 16, 1934 in Quincy, IL the son of Frank H. & Mary (Weitholder) Duesterhaus. He married Joan Conley on December 27, 1956 in St. Francis Catholic Church. She survives. Frank was a 20 year veteran of the United States Air Force having served in Vietnam. He was a Jet Aircraft mechanic. He also served as a flight and mechanic instructor, retiring from the Air Force in 1974 with the rank of Master Sergeant. Both before and after his service in the Air Force, Frank worked at Quincy Compressor and retired as a Superintendent in 1990.

Frank’s greatest love was his family. Frank had a huge, giving heart and was patient, kind, honest and helpful to everyone he met. He was a hard worker and a very skilled handyman who could fix and make just about anything. Frank always strived to do a job correctly the first time. Frank first met Joan at the A&W on North 12th Street and on their second date he proposed to her because it was love at first sight.

In addition to his wife, Frank is also survived by:
THREE CHILDREN: Diana Nelson and her husband Robert of Rushford, MN; Frank James Duesterhaus of Anchorage, AK; and Julie Clifton and her husband Perry of Quincy.
ELEVEN GRANDCHILDREN: Cameron Peters and his wife Tabitha; Robert ‘Dusty’ Nelson; Miranda Jacques and her husband Josh; Malachi Nelson and his wife Katie; Elise Ramsbottom and her husband Doug; Grace Nelson; Josiah Nelson; Wesley Nelson; Rose Nelson; Zachary Clifton and Collin Clifton
EIGHT GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Megan Peters, Anna Peters, Lily Jacques, Tierzah Jacques, Vivienne Jacques, Cooper Nelson, Violet Nelson and Penny Ramsbottom.
ONE SISTER: Mrs. Patricia Wolf
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Rosalia Peter along with her husband Carl and Betty Bockhold along with her husband George, and a brother in law: Herb Wolf.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 9:30 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 AM in St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment with military rites at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to thank the 3rd floor staff at Sunset Home, especially Dawn for their kindness, support and love. In addition, special appreciation to our hospice nurse, Sarah from Blessing Hospital for her extraordinary care and compassion.