Quass, Donald Francis

Donald Francis Quass, 88, died peacefully Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Friends may visit Papich-Kuba Funeral Home on J Street on Monday between 4 and 8 p.m. A short prayer service will begin at 4:30 p.m. The funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at St. Ludmila's Social Hall.

Dad was born May 12, 1922, to John and Katherine (Maher) Quass in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from St. Patrick's High School and served proudly as Machinist's Mate Second Class in the Navy during World War II on the islands of Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville and Archipelago in the South Pacific.

In 1946 he married his loving wife Helen Durek at St. Wenceslaus Church. He was a very industrious guy who, for 43 years, worked long hours as a machinist at Link Belt Speeder/FMC to provide a very nice life for his growing family of five children.

We have great memories of many family vacations traveling by car to national parks and summer vacations fishing on Minnesota lakes.

Dad was an avid sportsman who was perhaps happiest when in the outdoors hunting, fishing, and later, just observing wildlife. He imparted that passion for nature to all of his children and it is one of our most cherished legacies.

He loved his grandchildren dearly, and was proud of their many accomplishments. Time spent with them fishing, playing Rummikub, listening to them sing and sharing many laughs brought him great joy.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of Xavier High School girls' basketball. He attended nearly all of Jessi's basketball games and was a virtual one-man cheering section.

He was also a devoted racquetball player even in his later years. We loved to listen to his stories, perhaps embellished, of exploits on the court defeating more youthful opponents.

Dad's passing leaves a big hole in our hearts but memories of his laughter, great love for his family, and passion for life will stay with us forever. We love you, Pop.

Preceding him in death were his mother and father; his brother, Merle; and his sisters, Helene, Kathleen and Madellon “Tay”.

He is survived by his beautiful bride Helen; his sister, Mary Elizabeth (“Betty”) Zipperer; children, Ron, Jon (Mary), Kevin (Connie), Kathy Gansen (Dave), Diane McCoy (Mike); grandchildren, Heather Quass, Sean (Jodi) Quass, Stephanie Mischnick (Mike), Julie and Lindsay Quass, Tim (Tan) and Tiffany McCoy, and Heidi and Jessica Gansen; great-grandson, Andrew Mischnick; and soon-to-be great-grandbabies Mischnick and Quass.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be given in Don's memory to St. Patrick's Church, Cedar Rapids, or to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.