John L. Bouslog
October 13, 1929 — November 15, 2015
John L. Bouslog, 86, of Marion, Iowa, died Sunday November 15, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 19, 2015, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 20, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Marion, conducted by Pastor Mike Morgan.
John was born October 13, 1929, in South English, Iowa, the son of Paul and Mary Bouslog. He graduated from Kinross High School, after which he attended State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduating in 1950 with a B.A. degree in Education. On December 27, 1950, John married Joan Bauer in Millersburg, after which they enjoyed 64 years of marriage.
John taught and coached for 10 years at Sigourney, Kinross and Coggon. His 1953 Kinross team advanced to the semifinals of the girl’s state tournament beating a much larger and favored Ankeny team. In 1960, to support his growing family John left teaching to start his career in the insurance industry. In 1963, John and Bob Verhille formed Bouslog-Verhille, an independent property and casualty insurance agency, which John grew and managed for 30 years. After retiring in 1993, John and Joan enjoyed their winters in Arizona, Nevada, and Florida.
While living and working in Marion, John served his community on several boards and organizations: Marion Planning and Zoning Board, Marion Water Department Board, President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, founding member of MEDCO Board, President of Indian Creek Country Club, President of Grant Wood AEA Board for 10 years and a Board member for 17 years and former Trustee of First United Methodist Church.
John’s family includes Joan, his wife of 64 years; two sisters, Sara Fishel of Marion, Iowa and Rosemary (Roger) Lyon of Findley, Ohio; a brother, Bill of Dunedin, Florida; four children, James Bouslog (Cindi Rudish) of Marion, Sue Ann (Bill) Dawson of Cedar Rapids, Jeffrey (Shawn) Bouslog of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Scott Bouslog of Boerne, Texas; eight grandchildren, Katie (Ryan) Luehrsmann of Marion, Stephen (Becca) Bouslog of Daphne, Alabama, Nick (Katie) Dusil of Cedar Rapids, Allison (Nic) Seeley of St. Paul, Minnesota, Ryan (Michelle) Bouslog Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brandt, Barrett, and Boden Bouslog of Boerne, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Brady, Cael, and London Luehrsmann of Marion, Maxwell Seeley of St. Paul, Minnesota and Kade Dusil of Cedar Rapids.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary; and a brother, David.
John loved and was loved by all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always had time to teach and listen to them, particularly about fishing or gardening which he loved. This last year he and Joan shared a garden with his great grandchildren Brady, Cael and London. John was really looking forward to his annual trip to Canada in 2016 where there would have been 4 generations of Bouslogs he taught to fish. Besides his service to his clients and community John enjoyed golfing, cards, Iowa Sports, traveling with Joan.
He will be missed by all of us but we have lasting memories of our special times with John.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to First United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Marion YMCA.
John was born October 13, 1929, in South English, Iowa, the son of Paul and Mary Bouslog. He graduated from Kinross High School, after which he attended State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduating in 1950 with a B.A. degree in Education. On December 27, 1950, John married Joan Bauer in Millersburg, after which they enjoyed 64 years of marriage.
John taught and coached for 10 years at Sigourney, Kinross and Coggon. His 1953 Kinross team advanced to the semifinals of the girl’s state tournament beating a much larger and favored Ankeny team. In 1960, to support his growing family John left teaching to start his career in the insurance industry. In 1963, John and Bob Verhille formed Bouslog-Verhille, an independent property and casualty insurance agency, which John grew and managed for 30 years. After retiring in 1993, John and Joan enjoyed their winters in Arizona, Nevada, and Florida.
While living and working in Marion, John served his community on several boards and organizations: Marion Planning and Zoning Board, Marion Water Department Board, President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, founding member of MEDCO Board, President of Indian Creek Country Club, President of Grant Wood AEA Board for 10 years and a Board member for 17 years and former Trustee of First United Methodist Church.
John’s family includes Joan, his wife of 64 years; two sisters, Sara Fishel of Marion, Iowa and Rosemary (Roger) Lyon of Findley, Ohio; a brother, Bill of Dunedin, Florida; four children, James Bouslog (Cindi Rudish) of Marion, Sue Ann (Bill) Dawson of Cedar Rapids, Jeffrey (Shawn) Bouslog of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Scott Bouslog of Boerne, Texas; eight grandchildren, Katie (Ryan) Luehrsmann of Marion, Stephen (Becca) Bouslog of Daphne, Alabama, Nick (Katie) Dusil of Cedar Rapids, Allison (Nic) Seeley of St. Paul, Minnesota, Ryan (Michelle) Bouslog Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brandt, Barrett, and Boden Bouslog of Boerne, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Brady, Cael, and London Luehrsmann of Marion, Maxwell Seeley of St. Paul, Minnesota and Kade Dusil of Cedar Rapids.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary; and a brother, David.
John loved and was loved by all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always had time to teach and listen to them, particularly about fishing or gardening which he loved. This last year he and Joan shared a garden with his great grandchildren Brady, Cael and London. John was really looking forward to his annual trip to Canada in 2016 where there would have been 4 generations of Bouslogs he taught to fish. Besides his service to his clients and community John enjoyed golfing, cards, Iowa Sports, traveling with Joan.
He will be missed by all of us but we have lasting memories of our special times with John.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to First United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Marion YMCA.
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