Otto Karl Trousil, 95, of West Burlington died Nov. 29, 2021, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Hospice House in West Burlington.
He was born Jan. 1, 1926, to Leopold and Angelika Trousil, German Nationals in Lisnice, former Czechoslovakia. On Oct. 12, 1951, he married Wilfriede Fromm in Rodheim, West Germany. She preceded him in death.
Otto attended school in Olomouc until the age of 14, whereupon he entered an apprenticeship to learn all aspects of aeronautics and building airplanes. As with all German youth during WWII, it was mandatory to join a two-year work program. At the age of 18 he was required to join a service, so he joined the Luftwaffe and trained on motorized aircraft, later being assigned to an engineering battalion in France. He surrendered in the latter days of the war to American forces who then turned him over to French forces; he was kept as a POW for 18 months. With the help of the Red Cross, he was reunited with his parents and siblings. He then started a 17-year career working for Lufthansa as a mechanic and participated in 1949 in the Berlin airlift, flying provisions into West Berlin due to the Soviet Union's blockade of the city. In 1964, the family immigrated to the United States, first living in Rockford, Ill., and then moving to West Burlington in 1967 after taking a job with Import Motors until his retirement in 1989.
He is survived by his son, Hans Trousil and daughter, Antje Johns, both of West Burlington; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16 at Lunning Chapel with family receiving friends beginning at 9 a.m. Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Burlington following services.
Cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Memorials can be made to Great River Hospice House and Special Needs Foundation of Des Moines County.