Alton James Kusch

Alton James Kusch, 74, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away at his home April 16, 2023. Alton was born on November 16, 1948, in Littlefork, MN to Arnold and Viola (Larson) Kusch.

Alton spent his early years growing up in Big Falls, MN. He graduated from Littlefork-Big Falls High School in 1967. As a teenager he was part of the “job corps” where the kids cut brush along the highways, earning spending money. Alton was known as the “Banker”. His friends knew if they needed a loan he would loan them money, and they always paid him back.

After high school, Alton enlisted in the Navy. He took his basic training in San Diego, CA. He then attended training on sewing parachutes in New Jersey. As a part of this training, he had to parachute from an airplane 3 times using the parachutes he made. He was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.

Alton worked at two hospitals in Des Moines. Most of his career was spent as a psych tech at Broadlawns Hospital and Mercy Hospital until he retired.

After his retirement he spent some time traveling visiting friends and relatives in Arizona, Minnesota and Indiana. He was an avid fan of John Wayne. Every year he attended the John Wayne Festival in Winterset, IA.

Other great interests of his were the Covered Bridges of Madison County and the Iowa State Fair. He also had great love for animals, especially dogs, of which Alton had two special ones. They were Dachshunds—Skip and Kolo. He was a generous supporter of The Animal Rescue League.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Viola Kusch; sister, Kay Dudgeon (Charles Foster); brothers, Leon (Sachi) and Duane Dudgeon; stepfather, Robert Glover; and grandparents, Teckla and Peter Albin Larson.

He is survived by his brother, Les (Susan) Glover of Ankeny, Iowa; sister-in-law, Jean Dudgeon of Norwood Young America, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all. He always loved to get together with family and just visit and reminisce.

There will be a small family celebration of life/memorial locally and then graveside and burial at the Big Falls Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.

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