Gaylord Kuennen

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:05 am

Gaylord Kuennen, age 79, of Fort Atkinson, retired MSgt, US Air Force,?passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochster, Minn.

Gaylord, also known as Al, proudly served 20 years on active duty.

Gaylord was born on April 12, 1942 in St Lucas, Iowa to his parents Nicholas and Frances Kuennen. Enlisting in the Air Force in 1961, his military career took him all over the world including Lackland AFB, Texas, Amarillo AFB, Texas, Minot AFB, North Dakota, Thule AB, Greenland, Eglin AFB, Florida, Edwards AFB, California, Erding AB, Germany, Aviano AB, Italy, and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.

Gaylord worked logistics throughout his career, to include securing and maintaining parts for the SR-71 Blackbird, a long-range, high-altitude, strategic stealth reconnaissance aircraft.?After retiring from the Air Force, he used his work experience at both Lockheed in Saudi Arabia and the General Services Administration in Georgia. ?His love of family brought him back to Iowa where he enjoyed hunting in the “Timber”, gardening (pumpkins and gourds were his specialty), and hopping in his Ford F-150 Lariat to go out visiting. His love of the military and serving others didn’t end with his Air Force retirement. He was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years and a member of the Order of Moose International. ?Gaylord also enjoyed bowling, playing cards, horseshoes, and playing softball. He considered it a privilege to recently take the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Gaylord is survived by his brothers Donald (Mary), Wilfred, Dennis (Janet), and Allan (Pam), and his sisters Leona (Tim), Marilyn (Dick), and Cora Lee (Tom). He is also survived by his former wife, Betty (Paul) Lowe of Snellville GA, his son Steve (Deb) Kuennen of Buena Vista CO, daughter Nancy (Curt) Pederson of Bloomington IL, daughter Brenda (Mike) Bedenk of Marietta, Ga, and son Tim (Julie) Kuennen of Bismarck, ND; eight grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.Gaylord?was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Frances (Schaufenbuel) Kuennen, his partner, Patricia Kennedy, his brothers Delbert and?Richard, and his sisters, Victoria, Rosalie, and Norma.

Mass of Christian Burial is Feb. 4 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus officiating. Lector is Clair Dietzenbach, with music by Kathy Meyer, organist, and Lynette Wheeler, soloist. Burial is in the St. Luke’s Catholic Church Cemetery. Schluter-Balik Funeral Chapel, Fort Atkinson, assisted with arrangements.