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 marines. He traveled the world until being drafted into the Navy where he served on a mine sweeper 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 brick layer. Hans and Marianne moved from Germany to Bellmore, New York in 1957 with their four children, before having one more child in the United States. After his retirement from the building trade in 1983, Hans and Marianne moved to Cherry Plain, where they built a new home. Later on, he took up the building of 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 (Carol) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Doris Kessler (Richard) of Philadelphia, Hans Hustedt (Barbara Mayer) of Levittown, Traute Lehner (John) of Niskayuna, and Marianne Barker (David) of Saratoga Springs; and eight grandchildren: Paul Hustedt of Portland, Eric Hustedt (Kristen) of Patchogue, Gail Hustedt Marino (Bill) of Smithtown, Sarah Kessler of Los Angeles, William Kessler (Jordan) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Nicholas Lehner (Ana Maria) of Columbus, Ohio, Stephanie Lehner Rowe (Alan) of Indianapolis, and Christine Hustedt of Chesapeake, Virginia. He is also survived by his sisters Henny Satzinger of Bremerhaven, Germany and Meta von Glahn of Elmlohe, Germany.
He was predeceased by his sisters Elfriede Schiefelbein and Hanni Lodders of Germany and Henry Hustedt (Anni) of Bradenton, Florida.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 31 at 11 a.m. 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 Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street, Schenectady on Friday, August 30 from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Niskayuna, NY 12309 in Hans’ name or to a charity of your choice.
