Donald “Don” L. Kuennen, 70, of Chetek, WI, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, October 24, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 29th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday at Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 PM scripture service.
Don Kuennen was born June 23, 1951, to Al and Shirley Kuennen in Libertyville, IL. The Kuennen family then moved to Iowa, living first in Festina and then moving to Ossian in 1960. Don’s love for sports began by watching his uncles: Art, Kenny, and Linus Huinker play hometown baseball. While attending De Sales High School, Don was the starting point guard on the team that won the Northeast Iowa Catholic Conference championship. Don also played as the catcher on the baseball team. He then continued to play baseball for North Iowa Area Community College for one year and amateur league baseball on the Spillville baseball team for several years.
His path then took a turn when he moved to Cedar Rapids to get a job to later pay tuition at the University of Iowa to become a coach and teacher. That move also allowed him to continue his relationship with Jackie Scheidel, who he began dating in high school when Jackie asked Don to be her escort date at homecoming during their senior year at De Sales. Jackie was the love of Don’s life and they married in 1972.
Don’s coaching and teaching career began at Notre Dame High School in Cresco, IA, where he coached boys basketball, girls softball, and baseball. It was also in Cresco where Don and Jackie started their family. The births of Shelly and Carly created a new Kuennen family. His career then took him to Primghar, in northwest Iowa, where he coached track, basketball, and football. His longest tenure was in Waukon, where he coached baseball and basketball.
Following Don’s retirement, the Kuennens then moved to northern Wisconsin. While applying for a substitute teaching position, Don was recruited by the athletic department to help with the basketball program at Chetek. Don’s experience at each school included conference championships and qualifying for district and state tournaments. Never boastful, he attributed his success to his staff and players. Although retired from basketball, he attended many games and continued to jot down offensive and defensive plays on small pieces of paper, programs, and index cards — always found in his pockets on laundry days.
Don enjoyed grilling, fishing, watching professional baseball, and cheering on the Hawkeyes. March Madness was a special time in the Kuennen family. Don created a tournament bracket every year making it a competitive event for all members of the family including the grandchildren Quinn and Tyler, sons of Shelly and her husband Kevin Bendjy, and Carly and her significant other Ryan Swanson. Don and Jackie also enjoyed having the family at their home, especially when he was teaching his grandsons how to fish. Don was all about relationships and made certain everyone in the family felt special and important in life’s journey. His calm and steady presence will be missed forever.
Don is survived by his wife Jackie, of Chetek, WI.; his children Shelly (Kevin) Bendjy of Denver, CO, and Carly (Ryan Swanson) of Lakeville, MN; his grandchildren Quinn and Tyler Bendjy; his siblings: Bruce Kuennen, Doris (Gary) Huinker, Bill (Jane) Kuennen, Tom (Lois) Kuennen, Patty (Keith) Frana, Lori (Mike) Lechtenberg, Julie Anderson, and Jane (Chris) Meronuck; his mother-in-law Betty Scheidel; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Don was preceded in death by his parents Al and Shirley Kuennen; father-in-law Freddie Scheidel; sister-in-law Lynn Kuennen; and brother-in-law LaVerne Anderson
Martin-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waukon, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.