Loras F. Schuster, 86, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on April 10, 2025, at UnityPoint Finley Hospital ICU, surrounded by family and friends, following a very brief illness.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church Cemetery in New Melleray. Military honors will be accorded. A livestream will be available on the Leonard Funeral Home FaceBook page.

Loras was born on April 11, 1938, in rural Bernard, Iowa, to William and Clara (Schneider) Schuster. He received his early education at a one-room schoolhouse at St. Joseph’s Prairie until the eighth grade, later earning his GED in 1972.

Loras married Mary Lois Alt on September 6, 1969, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Shullsburg, Wisconsin.

He completed Army Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in 1961 and enjoyed it so much that he stayed until 1963, learning to operate large trucks—skills that served him well throughout his life.

Over the years, Loras held a wide variety of jobs. He hauled milk with his brother Bill, worked as a route driver for DX, drove dump trucks during the flood of 1965, operated tow trucks for both Al and Burt Steve, and was later employed by Flexsteel Furniture before retiring from Barnstead Thermolyne.

After retirement, Loras regularly attended the Lifetime Center on Stoneman Road, enjoying lunch with friends and playing euchre every Wednesday, forming many cherished friendships. He especially enjoyed morning pancakes on the deck with family friend Debbie.

Loras was well known for garage sales with his wife Lois and for canning tomato juice with Liz Lynch. He enjoyed baking until 2021. He also took pride in washing dishes by hand, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, and hosting neighborhood block parties. Loras loved to sit outside on warm, sunny days, watching life go by and reminiscing about time spent with family and friends. He looked forward to Friday catfish dinners from Jack’s Chicken Palace and Sunday breakfasts at Sunshine Café on Central in Dubuque. He also cherished his many daily cups of coffee.

The Schuster home was a favorite gathering place for Lois’s family, especially at Thanksgiving. Loras helped prepare everything from scratch—turkey, dressing, slush, grasshoppers, and all the fixings. New additions to the family always remarked on the warmth, delicious home-style cooking, and the open-armed welcome. Weekend trips to the in-laws often ended with the sons-in-law rewarded with dishwashing duties after a hearty meal.

Loras adored his Alt and Schuster nieces and nephews, and that love was warmly returned. He had deep affection for his siblings and in-laws as well.

As his health declined in recent years, Loras chose to remain in the comfort of his own home. He was lovingly cared for by his son Greg, under the watchful eye of Buddy, with additional support from the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging – Caregiver Program, which arranged transportation to the Lifetime Center.

Loras is survived by his daughter Kathy (Tony); son Greg; brothers William and Joseph; beloved fur baby Buddy; and many extended family members on both sides.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Clara; his beloved wife, Lois; his father-in-law, Dominic Alt; mother-in-law, Leona (Ripperda) Alt; and numerous family members on both sides. Loras also deeply mourned the loss of his fur babies—Duchess, Jake, and Bell.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the following healthcare professionals: Dr. Salas, Dr. Kahn, Dr. Martin, Janet Laban, Dr. Wack, Dr. Markham, nearly every ER nurse, Paramedic Mike, ICU nurses Tammy and Amy, Palliative Care nurse Diane, clergy member Ethan, and Alice from St. Columbkille’s.

Memorials may be sent to: Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging – Caregiver Program

Loras had two final requests: Please dress casually, and don’t be sad at his passing. Instead, celebrate his life.