Daryl D. Kuhens, 83, of Fayette, died on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013 at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein.
Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 23 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Rev. Connie Markle as officiant.
Interment was held in the Wadena Cemetery with graveside military rites by the Wadena American Legion Post 631.
A memorial fund has been established in his name.
Daryl DeWayne Kuhens was born on Nov. 12, 1929, at his home in rural Wadena, the son of Delbert Dale and Marion Lavon (Voshell) Kuhens.
He attended school in Wadena. Daryl married Geraldine Lorraine Gage on Jan. 23, 1947, in Elkader.
He was a veteran of the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 serving in the Army as a mechanic in Germany.
Daryl worked at Bergman Concrete and Lampe Concrete both in Sumner, Fayette Lumber Yard, Wadena Feed Mill and also in the maintenance department at Upper Iowa University in Fayette.
He also owned and operated Jerry’s Restaurant in Wadena with his wife, Jerry.
Daryl was a 60-year member of the Wadena American Legion Post 631.
He has been a resident of Mercy Living Plus since January of 2013.
Daryl enjoyed gardening, hunting, making jewelry, collecting rocks, arrow heads and many antiques. He loved fixing and tinkering with lawn mowers, record players and his old Model T he built. He enjoyed playing his music boxes and player piano for all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Daryl loved talking about his collections and telling stories about the old days, growing up and the war.
Daryl is survived by his wife of 66 years, Geraldine L. Kuhens of Oelwein; a daughter, Donna (Howard “Elton”) Heath of Maynard; a son, DeWayne Kuhens of Hazleton; four grandchildren, Kandi (Ron) DeShaw of Elkader; Keri (Paul) Amos of Sumner; Kendall (Nahla) Kuhens of Federal Way, Wash., and Cody Kuhens of Iowa City; seven great grandchildren, Derick (Katie) Schroeder, Melanie (Spencer) Bilden, Blaine Schroeder, Justin DeShaw, Ashley Amos, Brianna Amos and Cameron Amos; three great great-grandchildren, Nyle and Peyton Schroeder and Elijah Bilden; a sister, Corrine “Kay” (Milton “Woody”) Thomas of Wadena; two brothers, Elwood (Roberta) Kuhens of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Garry (Pat) Kuhens of West Union; in-laws, Gene (ElMarie) Gage of Oelwein, Leo (Carol) Gage and Wanda (David) Cousins, both of Evansdale, and Doyle “Butch” Gage of West Union; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother (Mervin Roger Kuhens) and two brothers and sisters-in-law.