Leslie Krusemark

November 26, 1931 - April 17, 2022

Leslie Krusemark, 90, of Ankeny, Iowa and formerly of Cedar, went to be with our Lord Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Center in Urbandale. He was born Thanksgiving day, November 26, 1931, in Bladensburg, Iowa, the son of Henry and Ruth Pendarvis Krusemark. He graduated from Cedar High School with the class of 1949. Following graduation he worked for a short time at John Morrell Company in Ottumwa. On February 14, 1952, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean war. He served for a time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and was later stationed in Germany with the Big Red 1, serving there for a year. On January 26, 1954, he was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to Iowa. On July 9, 1955, he was united in marriage to Irene Flint at the Wright Union Church. To this union three children were born, Debra, Diane, and Darin. Les returned to work at John Morrell Company until they closed in 1973. He then took a job as the Parts and Service Manager at Drost Equipment in Oskaloosa. In addition to working at Drost he owned and operated a lime truck, delivering lime all over Mahaska and surrounding counties with his brother. Les was the area “fix it” guy to many people. He was very talented in diagnosing and fixing mechanical problems in all types of equipment. In addition to his mechanical talents he was a gifted carpenter and all round “jack of all trades”. For a short time he and his brother worked as contractors doing drywall work. In the mid 1970’s, he took the substitute rural mail carrier job out of the Oskaloosa Post Office. After a few years of subbing he became a full-time rural mail carrier and retired in April 1993. Les was an active member of the Cedar United Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader, Sunday School teacher, and was the unofficial prayer leader for many church and family events. He was also a member of the American Legion, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, Cedar Improvement Association, Trustee of Cedar Township Cemetery and active in the Democratic Party. In retirement he loved to help his brother Bob on the farm especially during harvest. He was an avid golfer, bowler, Chicago Cubs and Iowa State Cyclone fan. Most of all he delighted in spending time with his family at home and attending their various events. He always looked forward to family trips no matter the destination. He was a kind man that will be remembered for his hard work, patients, humor and big hugs. His family includes his wife of over 66 years, Irene Krusemark of Ankeny; two daughters, Deb Krusemark of Ankeny and Diane (Mike) Holub of Ames; two grandchildren, John (Sara) Holub and Laura Leslie (Mike) Breiner; five great grandchildren, Hailey and Lucas Darin Holub, and Lydia, Brody, and Layna Irene Breiner; a sister, Rosalie Dursky of Williamsburg; several in-laws, Marilyn Krusemark, Dorothy Krusemark, Barbara Krusemark, Doris Comstock and Carol and Robert Hudnutt; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Darin Krusemark; his parents; six brothers, William, Harold, Clarence, Jerry, Robert, and his twin brother Leland; and a sister Frances. A private family funeral ceremony will be held, burial will be in the Cedar Township Memorial Cemetery (South Cemetery) in Fremont. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association or Ankeny First United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry. Condolences may be sent to Irene Krusemark and family at 1474 NE Falstaff Ln, Ankeny IA 50021