Arthur “Karl” Pustina, age 70 of Dodgeville, passed away unexpectedly as the result of a farming accident on April 26, 2026. Karl was born on July 5, 1955, to Darold and Marion (Schroeder) Pustina, the third of six children. A hard worker most of his life, he felt the reward of earning money mowing lawns as a youngster. Karl had fond memories of his dad dropping him and his friends off outside of town to hunt and fish. He appreciated the experience of “working with his hands” building Harvestore silos during the summer months of his college years and spent time backpacking through Europe and visited Korea during those years. He graduated from Dodgeville High School and from UW-Madison with his BA in Business Administration. He treasured his family and made their needs a priority as a young man. He earned his MBA from University of Phoenix later in life.
Karl met the love of his life, Carla Miess, in 1981at the DHS Par (Exercise) Course and a year later they married on the Miess family farm. Together they raised five boys: Aaron, Anthony, Alexander, Abraham, and Avery.
Karl loved the land that Carla’s father began farming organically in 1976 and was grateful for the opportunity to own a piece of the family farm. Karl’s greatest love was time with his family and watching his kids become the strong and supportive men they are today. He treasured his time gardening, working on projects on the farm, camping, sledding, and overall spending time with his sons and 15 grandkids.
Professionally, for 40 years Karl poured himself into his administrative role at Upland Hills Health. He valued every member of the organization and recognized the importance of every position. He often said if those who clean the operating room don’t do their job, surgeries cannot happen. He was also a member of the Kiwanis, served on the United Way Board, and was a member of the Community Connections Free Clinic Board for many years.
Karl and Carla enjoyed several vacations to warm places over the years and most recently traveled to Houston, California, and the Philippines to participate in hearing and sharing the message of the one body of Christ.
Karl lived by the Golden Rule, living with profound integrity, setting a high bar for those who loved him. With 15 grandchildren arriving in the last seven years, he became an amazing Grandpa: wrestling and tossing the boys around, letting the girls beat him up, and joking and teasing all around. He developed the amazing skill of turning a crying child into a laughing one.
Karl will be greatly missed for his dependability and strength, positivity, sense of humor, and companionship.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Gene and Cleo Miess, and brother-in-law Bill Haldane.
His legacy is continued by his loving wife, Carla; sons: Aaron, Anthony (Samantha), Alexander (Molly), Abraham (Stacy), Avery (Erin); grandchildren: Owen, Oliva, Olea, Oaklynn, Jeron, Jordy, Jayde, Jaxon, Jason, Layla, Liam, Logan, Wallace, Warren, Webster; siblings: Kris Haldane, Kathy (Steve) Runyan, Paul (Susan) Pustina, Ivy (Mike) Kobbervig, and Karin (Steve) Cretney; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
A Celebration of Karl’s life was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at The Dodgeville United Methodist Church. Friends began arriving at 10:15 a.m. to find seating in the sanctuary. At noon, they continued to celebrate Karl with food, drink and conversation in the fellowship hall. Friends and family were encouraged to drop in anytime. The family was pleased with the many that continued the conversation on the farm with a campfire in the evening for those who couldn’t make the daytime gathering (or wanted to continue to share stories). The Lulloff- Peterson-Houck Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Upland Hills Health Foundation (www.uplandhillshealth.org/about-us/foundation/ ).
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, Dodgeville EMS, Dodgeville Fire Department, the Iowa County Coroner’s Office, and UW MedFlight for all of their help to both Karl and the family. Also, the countless expressions of sympathy and care with food and prayer are priceless to us and deeply appreciated.
Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home
Dodgeville 608-935-3628
www.houckfuneralhomes.com