Constance Luster

Constance “Connie” T. Luster, 92, of Harpers Ferry died Monday, October 19, 2020 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services were held Saturday, October 24 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Sean Smith officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry.

Memorials can be made to Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter, Harpers Ferry Fire or Rescue Squad, Harpers Ferry American Legion Auxiliary, or St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Constance Theresa Luster was born September 27, 1928 in West Allis, WI, the daughter of Arthur and Blanche (Woodberry) Richards. She attended South Division High School in Milwaukee, WI and later received her GED.

November 30, 1946, she married Harland Luster at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in West Allis. They lived in Harpers Ferry, where Connie was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary as a charter member. She was also a member of St. Ann’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and was active in rosary society. In 2002, she was gifted with a clock for her 47 years of founding and maintaining the Harpers Ferry Memorial Day Parade; she continued organizing the parade into her 80s.

Connie loved cheering on the Hawkeyes, Badgers, Packers and the Brewers. She enjoyed bowling, trips to the casino, playing cards, nature, and all her fur babies. Connie also enjoyed the Hallelujah Choir and being the first one on the dance floor with Harland. Her most favorite times, though, were when she was with her family.

Connie was famous for her “Connie-isms”. It was known that her door was always open and the coffee pot was on; a stranger was not in her vocabulary. It was her wicked sense of humor that carried her through life, which was supported by either an endless half cup of coffee or a cold BV and water. She was always ready to go for a ride and a new adventure.

Survivors include her children: Bill Luster of Iowa City, Laura (Bob) Lacina of Brooklyn, Sue (Steve) Weipert of Marquette, Sandy (Randy) Williams of Monona and Anita “Bird” Luster of Tiffin; 11 grandchildren: Nick Lacina, Luke (Amber) Lacina, Brennan Lacina, Travis (Abbie) Weipert, Danielle (Tarin) Weipert, Bethany (Jeremy) Reed, Max (Eliza) Luster, Michelle (Fred) Breuer, Stephanie (Jared) Larson, Brianna (Jacquelyn) Williams and Jamie Garin; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law: Clarence (Kay) Luster, John (Joyce) Luster and Charles Luster; three sisters-in-law: Madonna (Jim) Rouiller, Helen (Dick) Hanesworth and Charlotte (Glenn) Monroe.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harland, who died in 2009; a son, Chris; two sisters, Laura (Hank) Pumplun and Helen (Walter) Seifert; a daughter-in-law, Karen Luster; three sisters-in-law, Mary (Neil) Kane, Myrtle (Don) Spinner and Rita Luster; and three brothers-in-law, Ernie (Alice) Luster, Pete (Virginia) Luster and Donnie Rissman.

Honorary casketbearers were the American Legion Auxiliary members of Harpers Ferry, Dale Mathis, Trish Olson, Pat O’Neill, John Rethwisch, James Retzlaff, Robert Vavra, Nancy Walleser and Mary Jo Wolcott. Casketbearers were Connie’s grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Thornton Manor for the exceptional care their mom received during her stay. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.