Shirley Kuennen

Shirley Ann Kuennen, 89, of Ossian died Sunday, September 21, 2014 at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, September 25 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, with Msgr. Cletus Hawes as the Celebrant. Burial followed at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian.
Shirley was born April 22, 1925 to Leo and Mathilda (Einck) Huinker in Monona and raised on the family farm outside Festina. She attended St. Mary's School in Festina.
Shirley was united in marriage to Al Kuennen August 9, 1948 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina. They had nine children. Al and Shirley owned and operated the Wagon Wheel Supper Club where they served Al’s Famous Chicken. She also cooked at the Ossian Senior Hospice for 17 years before retirement. In her final years, she was well cared for by her Aase Haugen family in Decorah.
Shirley was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and the Rosary Society. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, knitting, crocheting, traveling and fishing. She was an avid sports fan, attending her children's and grandchildren’s athletic events. Shirley rooted for the Chicago Cubs and played cards with her family and friends. She and her husband were members of the Silver Springs and South Winn Country Clubs.
Shirley is survived by her children, Bruce (Lynn Hollenbeck) Kuennen of Olympia, WA; Don (Jackie Scheidel) Kuennen of Waukon; Doris (Gary) Huinker of Ossian; Bill (Jane Ziegelmaier) Kuennen of Lansing; Tom (Lois Bengfort) Kuennen of Decorah; Patty (Keith) Frana of Calmar;  Lori (Mike) Lechtenberg of Ossian; Julie (LaVerne) Anderson of Ossian; and Jane (Chris) Meronuck of St. Paul, MN; her grandchildren, Chris (Heather) Kuennen, Steve Kuennen, Dave Kuennen, Reid Kuennen, Shelly (Kevin Bendjy) Kuennen, Carly Kuennen, Ted (Nicholle) Kuennen, Bobby (Ellie) Kuennen, Jeremy Frana, BreAnne (Matt) Solem, Matthew (Bridget) Lechtenberg, Garret (Debra) Lechtenberg, Erin Anderson and Allen Anderson; her great-grandchildren, Landon, Trevor, Ethan and Logan Kuennen, Maura Frana, Kale and Brynn Solem, Leyton and Lucca Lechtenberg, and baby Bendjy, due in February; her brother, Art (Ann) Huinker; and her sisters-in-law, Lori Huinker and Betty Kuennen.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Al, February 6, 1996; her parents; her brothers, Linus Huinker and Kenny (Aileen) Huinker; her sister, Irene (Art) Bruess;  her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ben and Louis Kuennen, Agnes (Irvin) Smith, Clara (Sr. Mary Bernita) Kuennen, Mary (Earl) Finn, Ida (Joe) Meinert, Kate (James) Happ, Leonard (Wilhelmine) Kuennen and Lee Kuennen.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian assisted the family with arrangements.