Hans H. L. Hustedt

Cherry Plain – Hans H. L. Hustedt, 93, of Niskayuna, NY, and Cherry Plain, NY, departed this world at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY, on Saturday, August 24, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.
Hans was born in Spaden, Germany, on July 2, 1920, to Johann and Frieda Hustedt and lived in nearby Elmlohe until he finished school and joined the German merchant marine. He traveled the world until being drafted into the German Navy where he served on a minesweeper in the North Sea until the end of World War II.
In 1946 he married Marianne Helene Blaffer. After their marriage, Hans learned the stone mason trade and became a master bricklayer. Hans and Marianne moved from Germany to Bellmore, NY, in 1957 with their then four children. They had one more child in the US. After his retirement from the building trade in 1983, Hans and Marianne moved to Cherry Plain where they built a new home, after which he built miniature dollhouses for which he has become widely recognized. He also enjoyed working around their property, planting trees and enjoying the peace of the surrounding countryside.
Hans took special joy in his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Marianne, with whom he would have celebrated 67 years of marriage on September 27, five children, Wolfgang Hustedt and wife Carol of Raleigh, NC, Doris Kessler and husband Richard of Philadelphia, PA, Hans Hustedt and Barbara Mayer of Levittown, NY, Traute (Trudy) Lehner and husband John of Niskayuna, and Marianne Barker and husband David of Saratoga Springs, NY, and eight grandchildren, Paul Hustedt of Portland, OR, Eric Hustedt and wife Kristen of Patchogue, NY, Gail Hustedt Marino and husband Bill of Smithtown, NY, Sarah Kessler of Los Angeles, CA, William Kessler and wife Jordan of Albuquerque, NM, Nicholas Lehner and Ana Maria of Columbus, OH, Stephanie Lehner Rowe and husband Alan of Indianapolis, IN, and Christine Hustedt of Chesapeake, VA. He is also survived by his sisters, Henny Satzinger of Bremerhaven, Germany, and Meta von Glahn of Elmlohe. He is pre-deceased by his sisters, Elfriede Schiefelbein and Hanni Lodders of Germany, and a brother, Henry Hustedt of Bradenton, FL.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 31, at 11 am at the Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna. The Rev. Dr. Scott DeBlock will officiate. Interment will be at the Niskayuna Reformed Church Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Calling hours are scheduled at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street, Schenectady, on Friday, August 30, from 6:30 until 9 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna, NY, 12309, in Hans’ name or to a charity of your choice.