Clarence Kuennen

Clarence Victor Kuennen, age 95, of St. Lucas passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the Ossian Senior Hospice surrounded by his family. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 29, 2019 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding.  Burial was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation was from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA and also after 10:00 a.m. at the Church on Monday morning.  The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is handling arrangements.

    Clarence was born on November 29, 1923, on the home farm near St. Lucas to Clem and Mathilda (Croatt) Kuennen.  He graduated 8^th grade from St. Luke’s School and worked with his dad. He met the love of his life, Geneva Huinker, at a wedding dance at the Inwood in Spillville.  They were married on May 23, 1949 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina, Iowa.  Clarence and Geneva were going to celebrate 70 years of marriage next month.   From this marriage they had thirteen children, 29 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

     Clarence and Geneva started farming near St. Lucas and they moved to their home place near Festina in 1958.  He loved farming.  His favorite job on the farm was picking corn.  Clarence loved polka music, watching the Chicago Cubs and playing cards.  He was a life time member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, the National Catholic Society of Foresters, and he also served on the Board at the Farmer’s Co-op. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.  Clarence and Geneva retired to St. Lucas in 1996, but he never lost his love for the farm and frequently went to the farm to help.  What we will miss most about dad, grandpa, was his incredible ability to remember everything.  If ever we had a question about history, family, St. Lucas, he would know the answer up to the day he died.

     Clarence is survived by his wife Geneva, children, Sue (Gary) Keune of Marion, IA, Jean Kuennen of Rochester, MN; Karen (Don) Guidice of Chugwater, WY, Clarice (Harvey) Timp of Calmar, IA, Sandy (Joe) Timp of Castalia, IA, Cindy (Norm) Einck of West Union, IA, Randy (Jackie) Kuennen of Ft. Atkinson, IA, Lisa (Al) Brockmeyer of Calmar, IA, Dale Kuennen of Calmar, IA, Jackie (Lance) Brandt of West Des Moines, IA, Loren (JoAnn) Kuennen of Ossian, IA, Mark (Linda) Kuennen of Ft. Atkinson, IA and Jeff (Kristin) Kuennen of Marion, IA.  Grandchildren Chad (Leslie) Keune, Cheri Keune, Adam Keune, Andy (Natasha) Keune, Shannon (Ward) Peterson, Crystal (Troy) Conyers, Kurt (Kira) Guidice, Kristi (Daren) Holien, Ryan (Michelle) Timp, Nicole (Corey) DeWitt, Brenden (Miranda) Timp, Jeremy (Denise) Timp, Brett (Robin) Timp, Tara (Joel) Monroe, Bryce Timp, Wendy Einck, Heidi (Spencer) Goettsch, Jordan (Hannah) Einck, Ashley (Matt) Nost, Brittany Kuennen, Courtney Kuennen, Jake Frana, Franklin Brandt, Tanner Kuennen, Alex Kuennen, Blake Kuennen, Morgan Kuennen, Nathan Kuennen and Chase Melhus.   He also had 31 great grandchildren.  He is survived by his brothers Jim (Donna) Kuennen, Jerry (Margaret) Kuennen, sisters, Della Mitchell, Lori Huinker and Arlene Imoehl, brothers and sisters in law, Mary Jo Kuennen, Arlene Huinker, Bernice Huinker and Donnie Huinker. 

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Clem and Mathilda Kuennen, brother Leon Kuennen, sisters Ruth Oyloe and Edna Holthaus, grandchild Kelly Guidice and great grandchild Hope Timp, father and mother in law Frank and Caroline Huinker, brothers and sisters in law, Cyril Holthaus, Jerry Oyloe, Linus Huinker, Neil Huinker, Bobby Huinker, Jerry Huinker, Ethel and Leonard Luzum, Margie and Paul Huber, Bernice and Lawrence Buchheit, Catherine Huinker, and Ralph Imoehl.