Raymond Harold “Dusty” Dust

Raymond Harold “Dusty” Dust, age 92, of Rhinelander, died on August 7, 2024, at the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital. He was born on October 28, 1931, the son of Raymond and Barbara (Fritz) Dust.

Raymond was born and raised in Chicago and attended schools there. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent overseas to Korea at 18 years old. 

He was very appreciative and proud to participate in the Honor Flight on April 14, 2014.

He worked for Bell Telephone Company and after that as a real estate agent. In 1983, he moved to Rhinelander and bought the Fireside Supper Club. He ran Dusty’s Fireside until 1990, when he sold it and ran The Sportsman’s Cafe until he retired. In his retirement he enjoyed restoring cars, remodeling rental properties, building model trains and had a full train and track system in his living room, and also having breakfast or lunch with friends. Raymond was also a big Packers fan.

Raymond is survived by his wife Mary, his stepdaughter Annette (David) Zimmer, his step-grandchildren Ryan and Samantha, close relatives The Fritz’; Gladys Fritz, Terri and Tim Ripp, Jesse, Kristi, and Jason Steinmetz (our family will miss you at our family dinners!) Dan (Tina) Fritz, Toni Fritz, Billy Fritz, Stan (Sue) Fritz, Mike (Lori) Fritz, Cathy Fritz, Tom (Deb) Fritz, Susan (Rob) Jurries, Robert Fritz, Myrna Hansen (Miss USA 1953), Sandra (Fritz) Anderson, special friends Mark and Tom, and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his cousins whom he thought of as brothers; William Fritz, Robert and his wife Sandra, and Richard and his wife Fran, Shirley (Fritz) and her husband Harold (Pete) Peters, Jenny (Fritz) Moore, Steven Fritz, and his beloved dog, Frankie.

Ray will always be remembered for his easy smile, love of dancing (he taught ballroom dance and could also dance on roller skates!), and his singing (he loved Frank Sinatra and would serenade us with “I Did It My Way".)

There will be no services at this time for Raymond. You may leave your private condolences for the Dust family at www.carlsonfh.com. 

The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the family.