Joseph L. Kussatz

Joseph Kussatz, age 87, of Davenport, entered peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, surrounded by family and friends at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, after a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3pm on Sunday April 19th, 2026, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. The family will receive friends from 1-3pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Joseph was born in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Myrtle and Lawrence Kussatz. He was raised and educated in Osage, Iowa, where he excelled in sports, especially football. He continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa, earning a degree in Education. He later completed his master’s degree in administration.

Joe spent his entire career with the Davenport Community School District as a teacher and later as a principal at Jefferson, Harrison, Wood, and Walcott schools. He retired after 37 years of dedicated service.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered by his lifelong friends and his cherished boyhood companions. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed countless fishing trips to Leech Lake with family and friends. He volunteered annually, assisting with the setup of the Bix 7 Road Race alongside his crew. Joe also enjoyed many hobbies, including rod building, woodworking, working on cars and engines, and traveling with his wife. He also had a special love for Whitey’s ice cream.

Joe is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kathy; his son, Joseph (Shannon) Kussatz; his daughter, Beth Kussatz; his stepdaughter, McKenzie (Tony) Perkins; his grandchildren, Isabelle (Ryan) Paustian, Madeline Kussatz, Gabriel Evans, Hudson Evans, and Maicie (Cody) Calvert; and his great-grandson, Colson Calvert.

He is preceded in death by Heidi Kussatz, his infant daughter, and his sister LaRae Carolan.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.