Averyl Jean “Dusty” Heiserman, 92, of Kasson, MN passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Season’s Hospice House in Rochester, MN.
She was born on September 15, 1929 to Roy Bryenton Leslie and Drusilla Grace (Lyman) Leslie in rural Stillwater, MN. Averyl attended Lake Elmo Elementary School, Stillwater High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture, St. Paul in 1947. In 1949, she graduated from the Charles T. Miller Hospital School of Practical Nursing. She also attended Northwestern Bible School, Macalester College and Rochester Community and Technical College.
Places of employment included: Charles T. Miller Hospital, St. Paul; office of Dr. J. C. Smiley, Deadwood, SD; charter staff of Lookout Memorial Hospital, Spearfish, SD; Dorsett Nursing Home, Spearfish, SD; VA Medical Centers, Fort Meade, SD and Minneapolis, MN; Zumbro Valley Mental Health Detoxification Center, Rochester and retired from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester in 1998. She was privileged to serve a summer mission appointment at Ganado Presbyterian Mission for the Navajo, Ganado, AZ in 1952.
Averyl and Jack were married on May 31, 1953 in the First Baptist Church, Deadwood, SD and resided on a ranch on the Redwater River in Spearfish, SD. They moved to Owatonna in 1969 and to their farm in Kasson in 1974. In 2009, they moved from the farm into Kasson.
Averyl attended the First Presbyterial Church, Kasson. She was a former volunteer for Mayo and Season’s Hospices; a former volunteer mediator for Victim/Offender Reconciliation for Dodge, Olmsted and Fillmore Counties; and hosted KWEBS Bible Study in Kasson. Dusty enjoyed traveling and made numerous trips to the Black Hills to visit friends and family as well as visits to family in California; Texas; Miramichi, New Brunswick; and Saskatchewan, Canada. She was devoted to her family and enjoyed spending time with all her children and grandchildren. She also loved animals including the family dogs, sheep, pet raccoons and the mules her family owned when she was growing up. Dusty’s hobbies included her rummage sale adventures and her collection of over 600 teapots.
Averyl is survived by her husband of 68 years, Jack; children Les of Spearfish, SD; Grace (Wayne) Steele of Owatonna, MN; Jim (Mary) of Kasson; JeanE (Gary) Brannon of Owatonna; ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and nephew David (Judy) Rockwell and family of Beaufort, SC.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers David Leslie and Ralph Leslie.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 22 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church, 101 6th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Amanda Boss officiating. Inurnment and graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 27 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Spearfish, SD.
Memorials are preferred to the First Presbyterian Church, Kasson or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Our sympathies to you Grace & Sara on the passing of your Mother & Grandmother.
We did not know her well but did meet her at Sara’s a few times for birthday parties for the kids.
Take care
We are so sorry for your loss, Les.
I met Dusty through Bible Study. One day I drove her home and declined her invitation to see her teapots. I wish I had seen them with Dusty. She was so sweet and thoughtful. One occasion she gave me a magnet with a beautiful bird painting. I was surprised to learn the gifted artist was her son. Even though we no longer meet for Bible Study I still think of Dusty often. Prayers to your family may they have peace as you sit in your mansion filled with teacups in Heaven.