Brady Kuennen

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:32 pm

Brady Kuennen, 36, of Waucoma, died near Rockland, Mich., from injuries he received in a snowmobile accident, Feb. 10, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick March officiating. Mass servers were Simon Schmitt, Calvin and Kyle Langreck. Organist was Kathy Meyer. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Borning Cry,” “You Are Near,” “Taste and See,” “One Bread, One Body” and “Lift High the Cross.” Soloist was Bobbie Van Sickle (“How Great Thou Art”). Lectors were Jim Van Sickle, Mike Hensley and Mary Bouska. Offertory gift bearers were Kim Stevens and Kara Einck. Eucharistic ministers were Barb Reicks, Sheila Reicks, Karla Langreck and Clair Dietzenbach. Honorary casket bearers were Brady’s cousins and uncles; our camping family; Brady’s bowling league; and our generous neighbors. Casket bearers were Eric Kuehner, Travis Gebel, Craig Kuehner, Mike Carolan, Bruce Van Sickle, Andy Van Sickle, Matt Steffens, Lee Einck and Eric Stevens. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Brady Allan Kuennen was born Jan. 5, 1980, the son of Ron and Susan (Schmitt) Kuennen in Decorah. Brady graduated from Turkey Valley High School in 1998. While in high school he worked for Schmitt Fertilizer. He then attended NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College) in Calmargraduating with an Ag business degree. He farmed the family farms alongside his grandfather and father for many years. In the off season he did carpentry work for Terry Bouska Construction. He was united in marriage to Wendy Van Sickle Aug. 27, 2005, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Brooklyn, Kendall and Blake. Brady enjoyed camping, bowling and snowmobiling. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and Dallas Cowboy fan. Brady was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, serving on the Church’s finance council and on the Board of the Farmer’s Union Coop. He also was a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and active with the St. Lucas Little League. Brady was a loving and caring husband, father, son and brother, and will be missed by many.

Brady is survived by his wife, Wendy Kuennen, Waucoma; three children: Brooklyn, Kendall and Blake Kuennen; his parents, Ron and Susy Kuennen, Waucoma; two sisters, Kim (Eric) Stevens, Iowa City and Kara (Lee) Einck, Waucoma; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jeff and Donna Van Sickle, Waucoma; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Nichole (Matt) Steffens, Festina; Kim (Eric) Kuehner, Lawler; Bruce (Kelsey) Van Sickle, North Liberty; Andrew (Brittany) Van Sickle, North Liberty; and Samantha (Sean) Flaherty, Apple Valley, Minn.; nieces and nephews: Hudson Stevens, Hayden, Kort, Clete and Blair Steffens, Emmett, Gretta and Elsie Kuehner, Esther Van Sickle, Liam and Leyton Van Sickle; grandparents: Victoria Schmitt, West Union; Phyllis Van Sickle, Fayette; and Evelyn “Sis” Wurzer, Hawkeye; aunts and uncles: Nancy Roush, Cedar Rapids; Gloria Wagner, West Union; Sally (Mike) Hensley, Kerrville, Texas; Debbie (Gus) Kapnisis, West Union; Kathy (Brian) Dunt, West Union; Mike (Janet) Schmitt, Waucoma; Mary (Ken) Bouska, Chatfield, Minn.; Mark (Karen) Schmitt, New Hampton; Marlene (Terry) Bouska, Hawkeye; Marvin (Traci) Schmitt, Waucoma; Deb (Neil) Ratzlaff, Omaha, Neb.; Jim (Kelly) Van Sickle, Laurens; Michelle Van Sickle, Oelwein; Jon (Bobbie) Van Sickle, Fredericksburg; Carol (Don) Zilmer, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Dean (Diane) Wurzer, Hawkeye; Allan (Joyce) Wurzer, Waucoma; Inez (Steve) Scholbrock, Denver, Colo.; Faye (Floyd) Winter, Waucoma; Sheila (Randy) Bratrud, Kensett; and Norma (Duane) Frey, Lisbon; along with many great-aunts, -uncles and cousins; and his dog, Duke.

Brady was preceded in death by his grandparents: Al and Norma Kuennen, Bernie Schmitt, George Van Sickle and Edwin Wurzer; one brother-in-law, Nathan Van Sickle; three uncles: Joel Van Sickle, Jerry Van Sickle and Paul Wagner.

Memorials may be given in memory of Brady to the Brady Kuennen Memorial Fund.