Clarence Victor Kuennen

Friday, April 26, 2019 3:14 pm

Clarence Victor Kuennen, 95, of St. Lucas, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the Ossian Senior Hospice surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Monday, April 29, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Burial was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, and also after 10 a.m. at the Church Monday morning. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah handled arrangements. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Monday, April 29, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge officiating. Mass servers were Kelsey Timp and Abby Reininga. Cross bearer was Nick Holien. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Alleluia Alleluia,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Amazing Grace,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lectors were Morgan Kuennen, Crystal Conyers and Kristi Holien. Offertory gift bearers were Franklin Brandt, Blake Kuennen, Tanner Kuennen and Brittany Kuennen. Eucharistic ministers were Barb Reicks, Norm Einck, John and Annette Kuennen. Casket bearers were Randy Kuennen, Dale Kuennen, Loren Kuennen, Mark Kuennen, Jeff Kuennen and Chad Keune. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas.

Clarence was born Nov. 29, 1923, on the home farm near St. Lucas to Clem and Mathilda (Croatt) Kuennen. He graduated eighth 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 May 23, 1949, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina. Clarence and Geneva were going to celebrate 70 years of marriage next month. From this marriage they had 13 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, Jean Kuennen of Rochester, Minn.; Karen (Don) Guidice of Chugwater, Wyo., Clarice (Harvey) Timp of Calmar, Sandy (Joe) Timp of Castalia, Cindy (Norm) Einck of West Union, Randy (Jackie) Kuennen of Ft. Atkinson, Lisa (Al) Brockmeyer of Calmar, Dale Kuennen of Calmar, Jackie (Lance) Brandt of West Des Moines, Loren (JoAnn) Kuennen of Ossian, Mark (Linda) Kuennen of Ft. Atkinson and Jeff (Kristin) Kuennen of Marion; 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 and 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.