Kuennen, Wilhelmine

Wilhelmine Kuennen of West Union and St. Lucas passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Wilhelmine Ida Kuennen was born in Braunschweig Germany on July 15, 1921, to Herman and Olga Scharlach. Wilhelmine was raised by her mother and Tante Ida Reinecke after her father died in a car accident when she was three.

Wilhelmine met her husband, Leonard Kuennen, a U.S. soldier, at the end of World War II in Germany, where they were both employed by the Big Four (U.S., Russia, England and France) serving as interpreters.

Leonard and Wilhelmine were married Jan. 17, 1949, in St. Lucas, Iowa, and they lived on the Kuennen family farm where they raised their five children. Wilhelmine graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1965, with a bachelor's degree in history and English and a minor in foreign language. In 1979, Wilhelmine earned her master's degree in foreign language from the University of Northern Iowa. She began her teaching career at St Luke's School in St. Lucas in 1965 and retired in 1989 after teaching at North Fayette High School in West Union for several years. After retirement, Wilhelmine worked at the University of Iowa as a house mother for the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

While employed at North Fayette High School, Wilhelmine and principal Steve Story began the successful student exchange program with a school in Uberlingen, Germany. After her full retirement, Wilhelmine enjoyed gardening, crafts, volunteering for hospice, and supporting and participating in community events. Her greatest joy, however, was spending precious time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wilhelmine is survived by her children, Ida (Ron) Winker, Frank (Shelley) Kuennen, Michael (Yvonne) Kuennen, Joanie Kuennen and Debby (Jamie) Hoarty; her grandchildren, Eric (Melissa) Winker, Katie (Dan) Normington, Jill (Craig) Tormoen, Kylie (Ryan) Mausser, Greg (Nicole) Kuennen, Travis Kuennen, Laura Kuennen, Casey Shover, Cody Shover, Michael Hoarty and Blake Hoarty, her great-grandchildren, Keenan, Helena, Caleb, Arlo, Aida, Luci, Wyatt, Zeke, Berkley and Baylor; her sisters-in-law, Shirley and Betty Kuennen; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; her parents and brother; her granddaughter, Kelly; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Father Nick March officiating. A public visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time. Public visitation also will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday at Burnham-Wood Funeral Home in West Union, with a Scripture service at 6:30 p.m.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to set up a memorial in Wilhelmine's name.

Burnham-Wood & S.K. Rogers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at

Published Oct. 18, 2012 in The Gazette