Irma Clara Kuennen, 81, of Waucoma, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 9 at home of natural causes.
She was born July 18, 1936, on the way to the Decorah Hospital, to Edward and Clara (Hovorka) Tupy. Irma graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1954. She worked as a nurse’s aid at the New Hampton Hospital, until a good looking guy caught her eye. Neil and Irma were married on June 3, 1957, then for 20 years Irma and her husband owned and operated Neil and Irma’s Cafe in Waucoma. After that she worked at Wapsie Valley Produce in Decorah for 28 years. Irma loved polka music, Elvis, and wathcing the WWE with Neil, she always had a smile on her face and a welcoming heart.
Survived by: her husband of 60 years Neil Kuennen; a sister Rita Drilling, Sandstone, MN; a brother-in-law Bernie Reicks, Cresco, IA; a daughter Linda Burgart, Garner, IA; three sons, Ronald, Hawkeye, IA, Dennis (Tammy),Denver, IA, and Tim, Waucoma, IA; seven grandchildren Eric and Chad (Sarah) Burgart, Nicci Gilson, Jeremya and Brittany Kuennen, Kathryn and Kelly Kuennen; seven great-grandchildren Damon Burgart, Mya, Macy, & Miles Burgart, Mailee McKentyre, Carter Slawson and Aubrey Kuennen.
Preceded in death by: Her parents, a sister Ruth Reicks and a brother-in-law Eugene Drilling.
Services: At her request Irma is being cremated and a memorial service is being planned for later in the spring.