Cubs Contest Winner Loses Cancer Battle

By Nick Weig, Producer

By Nick Weig

GUTTENBERG - A young Guttenberg man who battled cancer and won the hearts of Iowans and Cubs fans has died.

Dustin Eglseder died Wednesday Morning after battling cancer in his bones and lymph nodes.

We featured Dustin last year when he won the chance to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Chicago's Wrigley Field.

Two months later, doctors decided to remove Dustin's right arm and shoulder blade in hopes of stopping the cancer.

In January, the Cubs invited Dustin to their off-season convention to meet the players.

In the months later, his treatments did not stop the spread of the cancer, and his condition deteriorated.

Funeral services will be held in Guttenberg this Saturday.

Dustin Eglseder was 23 years old.
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Monday, Jul 21 at 3:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

GO CUBS GO! Hope you RECIEVED YOUR BALLOON DUSTY! I watched it float up to you! MISS YOU Dusty EGGS :)

Monday, Jul 21 at 2:48 AM Cubbieswincubbieswin wrote ...

I know Dustin is in heaven right singing Take me out with Harey Carey . Dustin rest in peace buddy

Sunday, Jul 20 at 9:30 PM To Dustins loved ones wrote ...

My heart goes out to you. I don't know you but have followed Dustins story. I to have a 23 year old son and cant imagine what you are going through. I know the broken heart feeling as Ive lost my brother at 33 and my dad at 36. Keep the faith and treasure every memory and picture that will see you through in time. I cant wait to see the Cubs go all the way this year with Dustin being their angel in the outfield it very well could happen.I will treasure my time with my children life is to short.

Sunday, Jul 20 at 2:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

ive known dustin my whole life and he is an amazing guy. he is probably one of the kindest people i have ever met. he deserved to win :). im a cubs fan partly bc of him :) dustin rest in peace. you are loved and missed by everyone. p.s.ill see you on the other side bud ♥ and when i do ill give you the best hug in the world.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 1:18 PM chris wrote ...

My prayers go out to the family of our no. 1 cub fan dustin.We love ya and are really going to miss you. Rest in peace dustin. Go cubbies! Now we can go out to our cub field and see our no.1 cub angel.

Friday, Jul 18 at 8:25 AM Cubbie Fan wrote ...

I didn't know Dustin, but I always pop online to see what the Cubs are doing. Last year I saw this contest and hands down, he got my vote. I watched him sing and It was like looking at a young child on Christmas morning. He will always be etched in my mind. To his family: I would take his place if I could, just to take your pain away.

Friday, Jul 18 at 1:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Good looking man.

Friday, Jul 18 at 12:44 AM sadforyou wrote ...

condolances to the people who knew and loved him. it must have been a wonderful moment when he got up there and sang. i dont know any of you, but bless you all

Friday, Jul 18 at 12:22 AM sody's friend wrote ...

I did not know him but I had a friend that knew him really well. After this, I think I'll have to start rooting for the cubs to seal up a world series.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 11:51 PM From the Eglseder Family wrote ...

Thank you so much to all of you leaving kind messages here for our family. We appreciate each and everyone of them. Dustin was a wonderful person and we feel truly blessed to have had him as our son and brother. We are thankful to the Cubs for giving him so much happiness over the last year. A huge Thank You to all of you fellow Iowan's for supporting him in his Cubs singing and caring enough to follow his journey. May God Bless all of you.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 11:24 PM to 5:59 PM wrote ...

thank you. a friend of dusty here. i like to think the only thing im upset about is that more people didn't get the chance to at least meet him. he now has the best seat in the house.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:50 PM Hey wrote ...

My condolences to Dustin's family and friends. It is very difficult to lose a loved one, especially one so young. He was a fighter and never gave up. I only had the privelege of meeting him once a few years back and he was a guy that was just genuinely nice and easy to talk to. Dustin has fought long and hard but will no longer be forced to suffer. God bless.........

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

rest in peace cubs fan. i heard about you from my old roommate who knew you. thanks for bringing joy to the ones who know no bounds.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:37 PM Friend wrote ...

Dustin was a great friend and loved the Cubs. Dustin and I would text each other during Cubs games, which I will truely miss. I got to see Dustin sing the 7th inning stretch song at Wrigley Field and he did AMAZING. Dustin always brought a smile to my face. I miss my friend.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Dustin was a great friend and loved the Cubs!! We would send each other text messages during Cubs games, which I will truely miss. I got to see Dustin sing at Wrigley Field and he did AMAZING!! I miss my friend.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I didn't know Dustin, but I was watchin 9.2 on TV this evening and the ticker across the bottom of the screen noted that Dustin had passed and I being a Devoted CUBS fan myself felt a bit of sadness...I noticed myself tearing up and said a prayer for the fellow fan. Now I'm not a religious man but I feel Dustin is in a better place watching his beloved Cubs from High above. My heart and condolences go out to Dustins family and friends

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:44 PM Jennifer Beck wrote ...

So sorry to hear about his passing. God called him Home, after he got his chance to sing at the Cubs game. Hope his family is doing great. So many people have cancer and don't have the time and chance to fulfill their dreams that they have always wanted. God Bless the Family May God Be with them everyday.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:40 PM B.J. wrote ...

Thoughts and Prayers to the Family. Cubbies, let's win this thing for Dustin!!!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 6:35 PM Sox fan wrote ...

Even though I'm a Sox fan, I couldn't help but follow this story. It's heartbreaking that Dustin lost his battle to cancer; especially since this looks to be a promising year for the Cubs. The memory of Dustin singing at the Cubs game will live on forever; even with the people who did not know him personally. I'm sure Dustin will be watching the Cubs from his "awesome" seats in heaven. My sympathies to his family and friends. Thanks for the memory.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 5:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What a beautiful man, inside and out.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 3:56 PM Christin wrote ...

Dustin was such a great guy, and he's going to be missed by many. My heart goes out to his family, and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to get to know such a great person.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 2:29 PM Derek wrote ...

I am a huge Cubs fan and I saw this while browsing KCRG, all Iowans were part of Dustin's amazing story. It's sad that things have to end like this, but Dustin is in a better place. When I watched him on TV singing the stretch it made me so happy. He seemed like a very optimistic and outgoing person and I wish I would have had the chance to talk to him. Him and his family will be in my prayers. RIP Dustin and GO CUBS

Thursday, Jul 17 at 1:22 PM unknown wrote ...

Dustin was an amazing person he will be missed we love you DUSTIN!!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:55 AM guttenberg native wrote ...

Dustin's family you are in my thoughts and prayers. let's go Cubs and win this one for Dustin...

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:44 AM James in DBQ wrote ...

What a strong person. Sad he is gone, but leaves a wonderful legacy. Dustin inspired even those who have never met him - like me.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:34 AM Cubs Fan wrote ...

His family is in my thoughts & prayers....so sad. From one Cubs fan to another....God Bless Dustin & his family & friends. Let's go win it for Dustin so him & Harry can celebrate together.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 10:25 AM Mandi wrote ...

I was just wondering about Dustin a few days ago when I was at the Cubs game. How tragic that he was unable to beat his cancer. God bless.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 9:46 AM CMP wrote ...

Thoughts and prayers to all the family. He truley was inspirational.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 9:45 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Sending many prayers to his family! May god bless you!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:58 AM JB wrote ...

Dustin was an amazing person, never did he miss a cubs game.. he is an inspiration to not only his family and friends but everyone. Dustin has been a long time friend to me and my family, and is already greatly missed, but we are so blessed to have such an amazing angel with us. I'll Miss you terribly Dustin! Hopefully Mom shows you the ropes up there! Give her a hug for me! Love you! God Bless the Eglseder Family!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:37 AM Anonymous wrote ...

This is so sad, my thoughts and prayers are with this young mans family and friends. Let's go Cubs and win it for Dustin!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:14 AM Sad day wrote ...

I was so sorry to hear of Dustin's passing. Dustin seemed to be the child every parent dreamed of having. God Bless.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 8:03 AM Amanda wrote ...

I used to work with Amy Jo & my heart goes out to her & the rest of Dustin's family. I didn't know him but if he was like his sister, he was a great person. At least now he can rest in peace knowing that a dream of his was reached while he was still here with us.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 7:59 AM Jamie wrote ...

Thank you KCRG for following up on this. Dustin was a neighbor growing up and fought a battle many of us would have given up on long ago. He showed us how much a person has to give. My thoughts and prayers are with friends and family!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 7:59 AM Dawn wrote ...

Dustin is up in heaving singing with Harry!! His Family is in my thoughts and prayers!! Cancer Sucks!!

Thursday, Jul 17 at 4:54 AM Terri wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with this family. He will live on in your hearts! God needed another angel.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 3:10 AM angelaslorcan wrote ...

Im so sorry for your loss, Your family is in our prays.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 2:48 AM go cubbies! wrote ...

OK cubbies...you couldn't do it for harry, you couldn't shake the curse for others, let's go out and win it all for dustin! i watched the game that dustin sang (and he could actually sing it - sorry mike ditka) and it was, for lack of a better word - inspriational. i thought for sure with an attitude and optimism like that, he would beat the big 'c' for sure. very sad.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 12:55 AM The Chien family wrote ...

Our prayers to the family. What an exceptional young man.

Thursday, Jul 17 at 12:20 AM Doug wrote ...

This is such a sad story, but yet a happy last year for him. Its great that he had the chance to meet his favorite players in the last year of his battle. My condolences go out to his family and hope the best for them.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 10:59 PM Cubs Fan wrote ...

Wow, what a very sad story. May God bless him and his family and friends. My prayers are with his family. Rest in peace Dustin, rest in peace. You are in my prayers today, tomorrow and always.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 10:59 PM To Dustin's Farmily.. wrote ...

...I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 9:56 PM Anonymous wrote ...

God bless you son, your family is in my prayers.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:51 PM Dave wrote ...

God bless this young man and give his family peace in their hearts. 23 is way too young.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:47 PM cubs fan 2 wrote ...

God bless this young man... life is to short,I hope this story of this young man teaches us all to live life to the fullest and to go after the things in life that we want..

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:37 PM EM wrote ...

I still remember how you made my birthday the best night ever back about 4 years ago... You tried so hard to make it the best and it was! i thank you for that and you will be missed by all... love ya dusty!

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:07 PM me wrote ...

Gods Speed to his family during this difficult time.

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:07 PM Cubs Fan For Life wrote ...

I rememeber Dustin and the great reaction he recieved at Wrigley Field! The Cubbies are playing for you Dustin!! Rest in Peace and PLEASE Tell Harry Hi from another Life long Cub Fan!

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 6:00 PM Annonymous wrote ...

Dustin, you and your family are in our prayers! Go Cubbies!

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