Justin J. Kuszak

Justin J. Kuszak, 90, of Ashton, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at his home in Ashton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City. The Revs. Matthew Koperski and Richard L. Piontkowski will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ashton, with graveside military honors provided by the Ashton American Legion Post 108 and the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City, with a 7 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary.

The service will be live streamed on Peters Funeral Home Facebook page. The direct link for that page is www.facebook.com/PetersFuneralHomeSP. 

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Justin Joseph Kuszak was born on April 14, 1934, on the family farm 5 miles northeast of Ashton to Joseph and Catherine (Mroczek) Kuszak during a tornado. He attended a country school near his home through the 8th grade. From the age of 8 to 18, Justin was an altar server at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Paplin, where he served every Sunday. As a gift, the priest gave him a silver dollar each year for his service. Justin was also skilled at mental math and could calculate high-level problems in his head.

At an early age, Justin developed a love for music and wanted to learn how to play the accordion. With the help of his sister, Ramona, he ordered an accordion from a catalog and learned to play many songs.

In 1955, Justin joined the Army and went for Basic Training at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas. During his military service, he was chosen to drive for the colonel because of how "sharp" he looked with his shiny shoes and tucked-in uniform. The colonel told Justin he was the only driver who could get him across Detroit with 8 lanes of traffic in less than an hour. Justin's rank was Specialist 3rd Class in the Army. After two years, he was honorably discharged and returned home to farm.

Justin married the love of his life, JoAnn Koperski, on November 16, 1957, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. Their faith in God and deep love for each other helped them raise their family while farming together north of Ashton. They raised milo, wheat, alfalfa, corn, soybeans, chickens, hogs, and cattle.

Working from sunup to sundown, Justin would come into the house covered with dirt, yet everyone waited to eat supper as a family. Many wonderful memories with family and friends were made on the farm. Along with his son, David, Justin was a successful farmer until his retirement in 2016. Even though his Parkinson’s disease kept him from safely getting into the tractor, he couldn’t stay away from farming.

Justin was a kind and generous man with a big heart. He loved his children and grandchildren, listening to the music they made on Christmas Eve, playing games, and watching them hunt for Easter eggs. When they were old enough, it made his day to play cards and have a beer with them. He believed in doing your best, going to church, thanking God for His many gifts, and asking God for help.

With JoAnn, Justin enjoyed polka dancing and listening to polka music on the Ord radio station every Sunday. His favorite song was the El Rio Drive Polka. The couple also enjoyed trips to local casinos, which they referred to as their “therapy.” After moving into Ashton, Justin liked visiting friends at coffee in the local bar and checking on the crops. With his sense of humor and quick wit, he could always make people laugh.

Justin was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and served on the parish council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 108 of Ashton for over 50 years and served in the Honor Guard for Memorial Day Masses. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Aurora Coop in St. Paul.

Justin is survived by his wife, JoAnn; four children and their spouses: David & Betty Kuszak of Ashton; Diane & Calvin Wiese of Grand Island; Sharon & Terry Klanecky of Grand Island; and Rosann & Kevin Lewandowski of Columbus; 7 grandchildren: Brandon Kuszak, Jordan & Katherine Kuszak, MaKayla Wiese, Kristin & Joseph Arbelo, Hannah & Logan Dickey, Tyler & Ashley Lewandowski, and Jandi & Greg LeVan; 11 great-grandchildren: Rania and Dahlia Kuszak; Arlie Arbelo; Taven, Raya, and Kira Lewandowski; and Nasch, Azalea, Juniper, Rhu, and Winter LeVan; brother and sister-in-law Lennie & Marie Kuszak of Ord; sister-in-law Betty Keep of St. Paul; brother-in-law Pete Koperski & Delores McDonnell of Platte City, MO; brothers and sisters-in-law John & Jan Koperski of Ogallala, Ben & Mary Koperski of Cody, WY, Marie Platek of St. Paul, and Sally & Tom Mudloff of St. Paul; Ron Lewandowski of Grand Island; Margaret (Muggs) Koperski of Lincoln; Maurice Fletcher of Olathe, KS; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Kuszak; sister-in-law, Kathryn Kuszak; sisters and brothers-in-law, Delores and Ralph Dzingle, and Ramona and Bert Placke; brothers and sisters-in-law Barb Koperski, Agnes Lewandowski, Frances and Robert Kush, Henry and Rose Koperski, Ted and Pat Koperski, DeLores Fletcher and Dan Grimes, and Daryl Platek.