DeSotel, John Robert

John Robert DeSotel, 42, of Shawnee, Kan., formerly of Garnavillo, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, after a brief illness at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Garnavillo, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Garnavillo. The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Garnavillo and one hour before services Monday at the church.

He was born Sept. 25, 1968, in Elkader, Iowa, the son of Carol and the late Robert DeSotel of Garnavillo. He graduated from Garnavillo Community School, received a B.A. from Luther College at Decorah, his M.M. from Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford, Okla., and his Ph.D. in music education from Florida State University at Tallahassee, Fla. Before Kansas, John taught in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Iowa, Florida, and Virginia. He could be found with his trombone, baton, drumsticks, or fishing pole in hand.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Aimee (Nielsen) DeSotel; mother, Carol (Goedken) DeSotel; and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a memorial fund to be established in John's honor.

Condolences may be left at