February 25, 1935 -August 23, 2026
John Duesbury was a selfless, caring man who devoted his life to helping others…always in his quiet, unassuming way.
Born and raised in Collins, Iowa, John grew up farming and playing baseball, two lifelong passions. When he wasn’t working in the fields with his dad he was throwing a baseball against the barn, playing pepper with friends, and eventually playing Legion ball throughout nearby towns. John was even rumored to have been a pretty decent pitcher. But whenever someone mentioned this, John always deflected any praise by saying, “Heck, Phil Holland (John’s catcher) threw the ball back to me harder than I could pitch it to him.”
John graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agriculture. While there, he took off one semester to help his dad, Henry, with the fall harvest. And because that delayed his graduation, he “accidentally” met the sister of one of his housemates, Evelyn Findley, who became his beloved wife of 68 years.
There are countless stories about John’s kindness and caring. The pizza party for his son’s little league team from “an anonymous fan.” Groceries left at the door of a young farm family. A “surprise” summer job repainting a retirement home on the edge of town. A plane ticket for a struggling teen nephew to stay with John and Evelyn. Countless trips to care for his mom in her later years. Even John’s first (and only) career was working for Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) because he could help farmers and small towns with low-interest government loans.
He was devoted to his hometown – Collins, Iowa – and spent years compiling www.collinsschoollife.com – a collection of stories, newspaper articles, events and photos from over 100 years of Collins, Iowa, history to remember and celebrate all the wonderful people there. (A hard copy is also available at the State Historical Society of Iowa.)
And Lifesavers. Thousands and thousands given to friends, folks on the street, neighbors, Walmart greeters, cashiers, bank tellers, and, in his final years, caregivers, nurses, cafeteria staff, maintenance folks and fellow residents. He gave out so many for so long that he even got a letter of congratulations and thanks from the company who makes Lifesavers.
John’s passion for helping others was matched only by his frustration with anyone who tried to help him. One of the very few memories of John getting angry was when “that damn neighbor is out shoveling our driveway.” John was 85 at the time. But, in one of life’s beautiful ironies, John and Evelyn moved to a senior living facility in Minnesota near their son, his wife and two granddogs, where in the last years of his life he finally accepted, always appreciated, and maybe even enjoyed being cared for by his family and caregivers.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Doris (Morrison) Duesbury of Collins, Iowa, and his wife, Evelyn, who passed away just four months prior. He is survived by his son, Steven, and his wife, Linda (Strom) Duesbury, and his granddogs, Gus and Betty of Annandale, Minn.
He will always be missed and will be eternally caring for all of us…just like always.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, John will be laid to rest at Collins Evergreen Cemetery in Collins, Iowa. All are welcome to join John’s family at the cemetery from 10-10:45 a.m. to say personal goodbyes to John, followed by a luncheon and fellowship from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Collins Christian Church, 303 Main St, Collins, IA.
Obituary and Guestbook are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.