Brady Kuennen

Brady Kuennen, age 36, of Waucoma, IA, died near Rockland, Michigan, from injuries he received in a snowmobile accident, on February 10, 2016.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Nick March at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas.

Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Eric Kuehner, Craig Kuehner, Bruce Van Sickle, Matt Steffens, Lee Einck, Travis Gebel, Mike Carolan, Andy Van Sickle and Eric Stevens.

Honorary casket bearers were Brady’s cousins and uncles; his “camping family,” his bowling league, and neighbors.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. Brady Allan Kuennen was born on January 5, 1980, the son of Ron and Susan (Schmitt) Kuennen in Decorah, IA. 

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 Calmar, IA, graduating 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 on August 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, IA. Three children: Brooklyn, Kendall and Blake Kuennen. His parents: Ron and Susy Kuennen, Waucoma, IA. Two sisters:  Kim (Eric) Stevens, Iowa City, IA, and Kara (Lee) Einck, Waucoma, IA. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Jeff and Donna Van Sickle, Waucoma, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Nichole (Matt) Steffens, Festina, IA; Kim (Eric) Kuehner, Lawler, IA; Bruce (Kelsey) Van Sickle, North Liberty, IA; Andrew (Brittany) Van Sickle, North Liberty, IA; and Samantha (Sean) Flaherty, Apple Valley, MN. 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, IA; Phyllis Van Sickle, Fayette, IA; and Evelyn “Sis” Wurzer, Hawkeye, IA. Aunts and Uncles: Nancy Roush, Cedar Rapids, IA; Gloria Wagner, West Union, IA; Sally (Mike) Hensley, Kerrville, TX; Debbie (Gus) Kapnisis, West Union, IA; Kathy (Brian) Dunt, West Union, IA; Mike (Janet) Schmitt, Waucoma, IA; Mary (Ken) Bouska, Chatfield, MN; Mark (Karen) Schmitt, New Hampton, IA; Marlene (Terry) Bouska, Hawkeye, IA; Marvin (Traci) Schmitt, Waucoma, IA; Deb (Neil) Ratzlaff, Omaha, NE; Jim (Kelly) Van Sickle, Laurens, IA; Michelle Van Sickle, Oelwein, IA; Jon (Bobbie) Van Sickle, Fredericksburg, IA; Carol (Don) Zilmer, Broken Arrow, OK; Dean (Diane) Wurzer, Hawkeye, IA; Allan (Joyce) Wurzer, Waucoma, IA; Inez (Steve) Scholbrock, Denver, CO; Faye (Floyd) Winter, Waucoma, IA; Sheila (Randy) Bratrud, Kensett, IA;  and Norma (Duane) Frey, Lisbon, IA, 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.           7u7