Andrew M. Duskie

Andrew Michael (Andy) Duskie was born August 6, 1917 in Beloit, Ks. His life of 90 years ended on September 27, 2007 at Mitchell County Hospital, Beloit, Ks.
Andy was the youngest of eight children born to Lawrence J. and Susan (Spengler) Duskie. Growing up, Andy helped on the farm. Andy graduated from St. John's High School in the Class of 1935. He enjoyed school sports, especially basketball. He later went on to coach basketball at St. John's High School in the 1940's. After graduation he attended St. Joseph College and Military Academy in Hays, Ks.
Andy served in the U.S. Army during WWII, achieving the rank of Staff Seargent, E-6. He was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco and completed frequent training at Camp Roberts, Ca. Sergeant Duskie was a non-commissioned officer in the chemical branch of the Army. He spent much of his time training incoming soldiers about the dangers of exposure to enemy gasses. Following his years of service, Andrew moved to Chicago where he operated a hamburger restaurant with his sister.
On August 22, 1964, he was united in marriage to Gladys Marie Bostick of Plevna, Ala. at the Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka, Ks. Gladys affectionately called him "Red" because of his red hair, and he was proud to marry his Southern Belle. This union was blessed with a daughter, Andra Marie, born May 10, 1967. Andy and Gladys were privileged to spend more than 41 years of marriage together, until Gladys' death in October 2005.
Throughout his life, in addition to farming, Red pursued other occupational interests. He worked at Raney's Drug Store, was an insurance agent, managed the American Legion club and later in life was employed as custodian at Mitchell County Courthouse and the Beloit Municipal Building.
Andy was an avid sports fan, coin collector, and gardener. He also enjoyed Beloit bowling leagues and traveling to bowling tournaments with friends in his younger days. Those who knew him could always count on his sense of humor. As a resident of Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, Red enjoyed dancing events, playing bingo and participating in the nursing home Olympics.
Andy was a man of true faith and prayer. Nightly family prayer was the norm and blessed palm and holy water were seldom out of reach. He was a loving father and took pride in his daughter's activities. Andy was very proud of his daughter's military career, following in the footsteps of both her parents.
Of his 90 years, Red spent 85 of them in his home town of Beloit. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. As a member of the American Legion Post 57, Beloit, Andy participated in many Legionnaire events, serving the community. He served in the color guard at parades, performed military honors at memorial services, and participated in numerous other social events of the organization.
In addition to his loving wife Gladys, Andrew was preceded in death by his parents, two infant children; one granddaughter; Emerald Duskie-Billen; his brothers, Lawrence A. Duskie, Joseph Duskie, and Monsignor John A. Duskie; his sisters, Mary Frances Heinen, Irene Lasnier, Agnes Peltier, and Josephine Poll. Those remaining to honor his memory are his daughter Andra Duskie, and her husband Russell Billen, Weston, Mo and brother in law, Pete Scott, Huntsville, Ala., along with other friends and relatives to include great, great, great nieces and nephews. He will be missed dearly by all.

A funeral mass will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at the St. John's Catholic Church followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery in Beloit. A vigil service will be at 7:00 PM Monday at McDonald Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the St. John's Memorial Trust Fund.