Obituaries 12 May 2021

Neil Leo Keunnen, 86

Neil Leo Kuennen, age 86, of Waucoma, Iowa passed away Saturday at home after a short illness. A Celebration of Life gathering is being planned for Thursday, May 13, 4pm-7pm at the Waucoma Event Center.
Neil was born August 5, 1934 in St. Lucas, Ia.  He graduated from the 8th grade at St. Luke’s Parochial School in St. Lucas and then worked on the family farm.
On June 3, 1957, at the St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville he married Irma Tupy.  For the next 20 years the couple owned and operated Neil’s Tavern and Cafe in Waucoma. Through the years he also worked at White Farm, several construction companies, drove semi for Marinus Mihm Trucking, auctioneering, Schmitt Fertilizer, and metal scrapping, he was also a volunteer fire fighter for 10 years.
Neil enjoyed fishing, racing his ‘55 Ford stock car (#118), umpiring little league and slow pitch (he loved embellishing his strike calls!), coin collecting, antiques, playing cards, bowling, playing pool, gardening and sharing his crop with friends and family, loved spending time at the casino, polka music and dancing, listening to Johnny Cash, NASCAR, WWE, and just sitting and visiting with friends in his garage, Neil had a great sense of humor and would make friends wherever he went.
Neil is survived by his daughter, Linda Burgart of Garner, IA, three sons, Ronald of Hawkeye, IA, Dennis (Tammy) of Denver, IA, and Tim of Waucoma, IA. Seven grandchildren: Eric Burgart, Chad (Sarah) Burgart, Nicci Gilson, Jeremya and Brittany Kuennen, Kathryn (Adam) Erwood and Kelly Kuennen. Seven great-grandchildren: Damon Burgart, Mya, Macy and Myles Burgart, Mailee McKentyre, Carter Slawson and Aubrey Kuennen, his brothers Henry (Arlene) of Cresco, Gregory (Rosemary) of Waucoma and Martin of St. Lucas and his sisters Helen (Fred) Williams of Mabel, MN, Margaret (Gerald) Kuennen of St. Lucas, Laura (Art) Matt of Clermont, and Kathleen (Dennis) Russler of Burnsville, MN, sisters-in-law Darlene Kuennen, Elaine Kuennen and Rita Drilling and brother-in-law Jim Kuhn.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Elizabeth (Meyer) Kuennen, his wife Irma (Tupy) Kuennen, brothers: David, Francis, Luke and Norbert, and sister MaryAnn Kuhn. Mother and father-in-law Ed and Clara Tupy, brothers-in-law Bob Kuhn, Eugene Drilling and Bernie Reicks and sisters-in-law Carol Kuennen and Ruth Reicks. 

Thank you for reading!

To read the full version of all available articles, you must be a subscriber to the New Hampton Tribune's website. To become a subscriber, please click here to be taken to our subscription page. If you already are a subscriber, please click here to login to the site and continue reading. Thank you.