Obituary for James R. "Jim" Kueny
James R. “Jim” Kueny, age 77, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at the MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Loren Hollister Post #496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa. Committal Services will take place at a later. A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, September 6, 2021, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
James R. “Jim” Kueny, was born on May 15, 1944, in Battle Creek, Iowa. He was the second child and only son born to Maurice and Ferne (Hansen) Kueny. Jim was a lifetime resident of Mapleton, Iowa. He attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Mapleton High School with class of 1963.
After high school, Jim ventured to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for Guy’s Nuts & Chips and later Lankin and Rankin before joining the U.S. Navy. He honorably served his country from 1964-1968. He spent several tours of duty in the areas of Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong during the Vietnam War on an aircraft carrier. Even though he grew up in Iowa, Jim’s fascination was with the ocean. His time at sea had a large influence on his adult life. Many vacations involved beaches, lakes, or oceans. He appreciated rising early to watch the sunrise over the ocean something that had brought him joy while serving on the USS Kearsarge Navy ship.
On November 29, 1969, Jim married the love of his life Karen J. Ehmke and the couple settled in Mapleton, Iowa. Jim worked in the family business, Kueny Electric, with his father Maurice as an electrician. He purchased the business in 1981 and continued its operation until the present.
In his pastime, Jim enjoyed hunting but his true passion was golfing. He loved to challenge himself to play the best game possible. Jim also treasured being a grandpa and considered spending time with his grandchildren to be one of life’s greatest blessings.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 51 years, Karen Kueny of Mapleton, IA; children Ron (Jennie) Kueny of Lawton, IA, Rich Kueny of Louisville, NE and Kristine (Richie) LeClair of Onawa, IA; grandchildren: Aubree Kueny, Jolee Kueny, Colt LeClair and Wesley LeClair; sisters Bonnie Flynn of Norfolk, NE, Faye Hoskins of Panama City Beach, FL and Mary Kueny of Marysville, KS; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Ferne Kueny; parents-in-law Elmer & Lyla Ehmke; daughter-in-law Jill Kueny; and brother-in-law Cliff Flynn.
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A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Loren Hollister Post #496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa. Committal Services will take place at a later. A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, September 6, 2021, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
James R. “Jim” Kueny, was born on May 15, 1944, in Battle Creek, Iowa. He was the second child and only son born to Maurice and Ferne (Hansen) Kueny. Jim was a lifetime resident of Mapleton, Iowa. He attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Mapleton High School with class of 1963.
After high school, Jim ventured to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for Guy’s Nuts & Chips and later Lankin and Rankin before joining the U.S. Navy. He honorably served his country from 1964-1968. He spent several tours of duty in the areas of Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong during the Vietnam War on an aircraft carrier. Even though he grew up in Iowa, Jim’s fascination was with the ocean. His time at sea had a large influence on his adult life. Many vacations involved beaches, lakes, or oceans. He appreciated rising early to watch the sunrise over the ocean something that had brought him joy while serving on the USS Kearsarge Navy ship.
On November 29, 1969, Jim married the love of his life Karen J. Ehmke and the couple settled in Mapleton, Iowa. Jim worked in the family business, Kueny Electric, with his father Maurice as an electrician. He purchased the business in 1981 and continued its operation until the present.
In his pastime, Jim enjoyed hunting but his true passion was golfing. He loved to challenge himself to play the best game possible. Jim also treasured being a grandpa and considered spending time with his grandchildren to be one of life’s greatest blessings.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 51 years, Karen Kueny of Mapleton, IA; children Ron (Jennie) Kueny of Lawton, IA, Rich Kueny of Louisville, NE and Kristine (Richie) LeClair of Onawa, IA; grandchildren: Aubree Kueny, Jolee Kueny, Colt LeClair and Wesley LeClair; sisters Bonnie Flynn of Norfolk, NE, Faye Hoskins of Panama City Beach, FL and Mary Kueny of Marysville, KS; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Ferne Kueny; parents-in-law Elmer & Lyla Ehmke; daughter-in-law Jill Kueny; and brother-in-law Cliff Flynn.
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
6
Sep
3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home - Mapleton
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday
7
Sep
11:00 AM
St. Mary's Catholic Church Mapleton
201 N 8th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
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