Timothy "Mel" Kuennen

Timothy “Mel” Joe Kuennen, age 67 of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully at Aase Haugen surrounded by family on July 2, 2025, after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St., Decorah, IA with Pastor Randy Kittelson and Eric Thiele presiding. Burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Wednesday.

The memorial service will be livestreamed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAUqvo2opIk

Tim was born on April 4, 1958, in West Union, IA, son of Melvin and Florine (Dolly) Kuennen.

Tim spent his early childhood years in St. Lucas, IA before moving to Decorah in third grade. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1976 before attending the University of Iowa and then graduating in 1981 with his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, where he also played baseball for the Norse.

In 1986, he married Connie Askelson (Kuennen) and they had two beautiful children, Alexis Dixon and Nolan Kuennen. Tim also loved his two grandchildren dearly, Joey and Jonny Dixon. He would do anything and everything to provide for his family and grandkids over the years.

Mel spent the majority of his working career with Wick’s Construction in Decorah as an office manager and bookkeeper, where he utilized his passion and expertise with numbers daily. Tim was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packers football fan, spending many weekends with his family and friends cheering the teams to victory.

He had quite a love/hate relationship with golf, but you could still catch him at the golf course nearly every week hitting the links with friends and probably enjoying a few cold ones along the way, too. Mel greatly enjoyed getting together with family friends, also known as “the camping crew,” to go camping, an occasional bike ride and spending time outdoors throughout his years.

Mel is particularly known for his keen, dry sense of humor and always keeping you on your toes. There are numerous “Mel-isms” shared with close friends that would surely give you a chuckle.

Tim is survived by Connie Askelson, children, Alexis Dixon (Michael Dixon), Nolan Kuennen (Jaimie Elsbernd), and grandchildren, Joseph and Jonathan Dixon.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mel & Dolly Kuennen, father and mother-in-law, Ralph & Colleen Askelson, grandparents, aunts, uncles and his beloved furry companions, Flossy, Licorice, Makeya, Stella & Lily.