Harold W. Custer

Harold W. Custer, 97, of Beaver Dam, and formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at his home. Visitation for Harold will be held from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, June 16, 2017 with Pastor. Bruce McMurry officiating. Military honors to be conducted by the Beaver Dam American Legion Post #146. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Behr Funeral Home in Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, June 17, 2017. A funeral service will follow at the Behr Funeral Home in Dubuque at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Burial will follow at Dubuque Memorial Garden Cemetery in Dubuque Iowa. Harold was born to Garrie and Nellie (Hall) Custer in Altoona, Iowa on July 18, 1919. Harold graduated and played football at Bondurant High School, in Iowa. Harold entered the US Army during WWII and served in the 753rd Tank Battalion, where he saw action in France, Germany, Sicily, and Africa. He received 6 bronze stars, a combat medal, and ribbon with bronze arrowhead, among others. After the war he settled in Dubuque Iowa where he was united in marriage with Rita Mae Menadue on April 12, 1947 at Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ. Harold was a hard worker, and was employed with John Deere for 30 years before his retirement in 1981. He was also very dedicated to the AMVETS, and was a lifelong member. Harold was an avid sports enthusiast, especially the Big 10. He was up on the news, and always knew weather forecast and the price of gas. But most of all, Harold enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rita Mae, his children; Gary (Lynn) Custer of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Kathy (Mike) Pusateri of Dubuque, IA, and Sandy (Tom) Heiar of Beaver Dam, WI; his sister Vera Rogers of Waterloo, IA, grandchildren; Caleb (Diana) Custer, Luke Custer, Kristen (Ryan Fralish) Pusateri, Jarrod (Allison) Pusateri, Andrew (Kara Walen) Pusateri, Emily (James) Worth, Matthew (La Tara) Heiar, Blake (Brittney Schmidt) Heiar, Cody (Brittany Vossekuil) Heiar, and 3 great-grandchildren; Brynlee, Stella, and Maddox. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Dale “Glen” Custer.