John Louis Dostal, 79 of Carroll, died Friday, April 12, 2019, at the Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 16, 2019, at St. John Paul II Parish – St. Lawrence Church in Carroll with Fr. Shinoj Jose as Celebrant. Lectors for the Mass will be Allison Loneman, Shaun Loneman and Jessica VandenBosch. Gift Bearers Tiffany Thode, Melissa Grundmeier, Michelle Weppler, Joseph Weppler and Grady Andersen.
Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home after 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday where there will be a Christian Wake at 6:30 P.M. followed by a Rosary. The casket will be moved to the St. Lawrence Church at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
John was born on July 5, 1939, in Jackson, Minn., the son of Louis and Clara (Willett) Dostal. John graduated from Jackson (Minn.) High School in 1957, and upon graduation attended Worthington Junior College where he was a running back on the football team. He then attended Mankato State where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1962.
John taught elementary school for five years, before transitioning to working for Hormel Foods for over 30 years, the last 27 as the manager of the buying station in Breda, Iowa. John also traveled throughout the country as a professional magician and ventriloquist for over 40 years, bringing smiles and laughter to thousands of people. In 1990, John joined his brother Jim in creating Dostal Enterprises, where they creating a product to absorb liquids of all types in many different industries. It also provided an opportunity that John cherished in being able to work with his brother, Jim. Alzheimer’s eventually slowed John down, where he remained at home until his last days enjoying looking at pictures and watching his Minnesota Vikings win football games.
He was married to Norma J. DeMers from 1962 – 1985 and they made their home in Carroll. To this union was born five children: Karen, Jeff, Julie, Jennifer, and Kristi. John was later married to Lucille Grulke Andersen in 1988. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where he served as usher for many years.
John is survived by his wife Lucille of Carroll; his children: Karen Thode (Bob) of Ft. Dodge, Jeff Dostal (Paula) of St. Louis, MO, Julie Weppler (Greg) of Sheldon, Jennifer Lonemen of Carroll, Kristi Dostal of Carroll; his step-children Kevin Andersen (Tatyana) of Clarksburg, MD, and Kiron Andersen (Mya) of Dallas, TX; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and one on the way; his sisters Louise LeCoque (Erv) of Crystal Lake, IL, Rosemary Hunt of Jackson, MN, Margaret Fell (George) of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Helen Carlson (Bill) of Waverly, Carole (Dr. Ted) Rice of Minnetonka, MN; a brother Jim Dostal (Judy) of Jackson, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Norma; brothers-in-law Floyd Johnson and Galen (Bud) Hunt.