Luke Kuennen

Luke Kuennen, 94, of Oelwein passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at Arlington Place Assisted Living in Oelwein.  Visitation will be private.  A public Mass of Christian Burial was held today, Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Fr. Ray Atwood officiating.  Those in attendance were required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.  Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein with Military Honors by the Maynard American Legion Honor Guard.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.  For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Luke Victor Kuennen was born in St. Lucas on June 20, 1926 to parents Carl and Frances (Reicks) Kuennen.  He graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School with the class of 1945.  He then served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII.  

On February 3, 1951 he was united in marriage with Margie Jacobson in Cedar Rapids.  Luke was a longtime dairy farmer in Maynard, retiring in 1994.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus in Oelwein, as well as the Maynard American Legion.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, visiting with friends, playing cards, taking walks, reading, fishing, and crossword puzzles. 

Left to celebrate Luke’s life are his loving wife Margie; his children: Kathy (Jerry) Cole of Fayette, Mary Bell of Coralville, Jim (Brenda) Kuennen of Maynard, Allen (Marie) Kuennen of Maynard, Kris Kuennen of Council Bluffs, Karla (John) Steil of Oelwein, Kevin (Stacy) Kuennen of Maynard, Lisa (Jeff) Forsyth of Fayette and Jeni (John) Roadcap of Montezuma; 23 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Alice Roete, Alvera Hogan and Agnes Vargason; his brother Urban (Floraine) Kuennen; many nieces and nephews; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Luke was preceded in death by his parents; his son Jeffery Kuennen; his son-in-law Neil Bell; his brothers: Adolph, Rene and Herbert Kuennen; and his sister Katie Vargason.

The family would like to thank Palmer Hospice and the Arlington Place nursing staff for their loving support and care. Luke was an honest, hard-working, kind- hearted man who will be dearly missed by his family.