Dolores Matilda “Dolly” Kuennen, age 92, formerly of St. Lucas, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Hillcrest Homes in Sumner, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Luke Catholic Church, 215 E. Main Street, St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Tyler Raymond presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. before the service on Friday morning at the church.

Dolores was born to Nicholas and Rosalia (Imoehl) Hageman on May 29, 1934, in Festina, Iowa, where she grew up surrounded by the close-knit community she would cherish for her entire life.

Dolores attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina for ten years, building the foundation for a life defined by warmth, generosity, and tireless service to others. 

People were drawn to her effervescent, infectious smile.

On May 15, 1954, she married Norbert Kuennen at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa. Norbert and Dolores operated Kuennen’s Tap in St. Lucas from 1956-2006, serving as a restaurant, grocery store, bar, and liquor store. Dolores enjoyed bowling, plastic canvas crafts, playing cards, gambling, decorating cookies with precision, making mints in a similar manner, and spending time with grandchildren. She was a charter member of 70 years of Catholic Daughters of America, a 67 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Foresters.

Dolores is survived by Children: Janice (Sam) Schmitt, Waucoma, IA; Eileen (Steven) Valdez, Round Rock, TX; Cheryl Carolan, Decorah, IA; Norbert Kuennen, Jr., St. Lucas, IA; Lori (Matt) Herold, Ft. Atkinson, IA; and Sheila (Merle) Reicks, Waucoma, IA. Grandchildren: Sabrina Schmitt, Conrad Schmitt, Armando Rodriguez, Jennifer (Greg) Jones, Maria (William) Warriner, Sonya (Alex) Dent, Monica (Joey) Boyer, Blake (Kelly) Carolan, Cole Carolan, Kyla Kuennen, Nathan Herold, Brooke Herold, McKenna (Jade) Walter, Travis (Kayla) Reicks, Kelby (Sarah) Reicks, and Dylan Reicks. Great-grandchildren: John Bailey, Tesla (Justin) Mitchell, Whitney Bailey, Brittany Bailey, Madison Warriner, Liam Warriner, River Dent, Arlo Dent, Adalynn Boyer, Claire Boyer, Alaina Boyer, Nolan Carolan, Mylo Carolan, Kate Walter, Adler Walter, Zoey Walter, and Baron Reicks. Great-great-grandchildren: Shina Mitchell and Orion Mitchell. Sisters-in-law: Pat Hageman and Elaine Hageman, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Husband: Norbert H. Kuennen, Sr.; Son: Wayne Kuennen; Parents: Nicholas and Rosalia Hageman; Brothers: Marcellinus, Ermin (Cleon), Edwin, Quentin, and Victor; Sisters: Rita (Ervin) Wenthold, Florentina, Lucille (John) Kruse, Vera (Greg) Kriener, and Sr. Joan.