Earl D. Tasler

Earl Donald Tasler, age 84, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 9:29 a.m. at Ramsey Home in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at the Brethren Cemetery in Panora, Iowa where military honors will be provided.

Earl was born on April 2, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to Dimple Alice (Schell) and Henry Leonard Tasler, Jr. He spent his childhood in Yale, Iowa on the family farm. After graduation from Yale High School he entered the Merchant Marines and then the Army, serving in both World War II and the Korean War. Earl married Mary Ellen Ostrander on September 29, 1951 and they moved to Des Moines where he worked a variety of jobs including driving an Amana Bread Truck, Pidgeons Furniture and Appliance, owned Earl’s Diner, Hy-Vee, Sears Warehouse Furniture Repair Shop, and lastly owned Tasler Furniture Repair for 25 years before retiring in 1990. Mary Ellen passed away in September of 1988 and after being a widower for 6 years he married Margaret Jarnigan in 1994 and they enjoyed 15 years of marriage.

Earl was someone who could deal with a variety of people. Whether it was delivering furniture to a newlywed couple, repairing furniture for an established restaurant or business, working closely with the major moving companies in the Des Moines area, or refinishing a fine piece of antique furniture for a local family, Earl worked for and touched many lives. He loved to camp, hunt and fish with his family. He enjoyed gardening and tending his yard and swimming pool. He enjoyed billiards, playing cards, bowling with his friends, traveling throughout the United States, and frequenting any casino nearby. He was an excellent cook. He loved to bar-b-que and entertain for his family and friends. But his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. Earl was a kind, tender-hearted man who touched the lives of many people and he will be greatly missed.

Earl is survived by his children, Keith Ostrander and his wife, Karla of Hurley, SD, Leonard Tasler of Atlanta, GA, Steve Tasler and his wife, Bridget of Des Moines, IA and Rev. Linda Hunsaker and her husband, Ryan of Ursa, IL; sister, Betty Lester of Sheldahl, IA; brother, Bob (Lea) Tasler of Cabot, AR; ten grandchildren: (Michelle Geier, Niki Metzler, and Terri Bradford), (Jennifer, Christen and Heath Tasler), (Tim and Dan Tasler), and (Hannah and Jazlen Hunsaker); five great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary Ellen Tasler; his second wife, Margaret Tasler; three sisters, Rosella Honaker, Hazel Vaughn and Mary Vaughn; and one brother, Marvin Tasler.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Hospice in loving memory of Earl.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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