Clotiel Kuennen

Clotiel Kuennen, age 96 of St. Lucas, Iowa died on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday January 21, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church at 307 East Main St. in St. Lucas, IA with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be in the St. Luke’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday January 20, 2017 at the St Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, there will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. there will also be visitation after 9:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday. Clotiel Louise (Frana) Kuennen, daughter of Louis and Rose (Korbel) Frana, was born on September 2nd, 1920. Clotiel married Herman Kuennen on September 4th, 1940, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. Clotiel and Herman lived on the family farm just outside of St. Lucas for many years. In 1973, they built and moved to a site on the farm where she lived until her death. Clotiel was a woman of many talents. After having nine children she completed her teaching degree from Upper Iowa University in 1964. She then taught at Turkey Valley Community School for 21 years (kindergarten and 4th grade) before she retired. Throughout her teaching career, Clotiel is remembered for her acceptance and encouragement of all students and for her creative play writing. She was also active in her community. She started a 4-H club and was a member of Catholic Daughters of America, Rosary Society, American Legion Auxiliary and Catholic Order of Foresters. She was a member of St. Luke’s Church and served as a lector and was instrumental in introducing RENEW. In retirement, Clotiel volunteered at the Waucoma Library, provided service at the community meal site, and helped anyone in need. Because of her community-minded efforts she received the Governor’s Volunteer Award. She also started golfing and was a founding member of the Jackson Heights Golf Course. She enjoyed every minute on the course until age 95. Clotiel was an avid reader, a bridge and card player, puzzle builder and musician. There were numerous family sing-a-longs around the piano or organ and she often sang and hummed throughout the day. She modeled the love of music and service to her young children by having them perform at local nursing homes. Her dedication to community members at nursing homes continued throughout her life as she visited them and wrote personal notes at Christmas time, even doing so this past December. Clotiel was a loyal supporter of the St. Luke’s German-American Historical Society housed in the St. Luke’s School where all her children attended. The last event she attended at the school was the December 2016 Christmas Reflections Program. She enjoyed several hours of visiting with others and singing carols. Clotiel inspired others to be kind, compassionate and community centered. She was ambitious, accepting of others, resilient and creative. Love of family was evident on a daily basis. Clotiel’s survivors include her seven children: Louis (Bette) Kuennen, Libby, MT, Rosemary (Carl) Most, Rochester, MN, Samuel (Theresa) Kuennen, Sparks, NV, Daniel (Kathy) Kuennen, St. Lucas, IA, Jennifer (Carroll) Nikkel, Maxwell, IA, Diane (John) McCarty, Cedar Falls, IA and Marie (Dean) Schneberger, Calmar, IA; twenty-four grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. One sister, Rosemary Shaber, Lewiston, ID. Clotiel was preceded in death by her husband, Herman, and two children, Randy and Judy; one granddaughter, Jill Reicks; sisters: Genevieve Rose, Loretta Ean, Jeannie Meyer; brothers: Louis Frana Jr., John and David Frana