It is with great sadness we share the loss of our dad, grandpa and great grandpa, Donald “Donnie” Kuehl, age 80, of Manitowoc. His journey of life ended, and he was called to his eternal home on January 1, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He is now resting in the arms of Jesus, no more pain or suffering; he is at peace.
Dad was born May 10, 1941, son of the late Lester and Anita (nee Stuebs) Kuehl in Kewaunee. He grew up attending Immanuel Lutheran School and then Kewaunee High School graduating with the Class of 1959. He currently was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc where he ushered.
Upon graduation, Dad served a Tool & Die Maker apprenticeship at the Aluminum Specialty Company in Manitowoc; in later years he added the title of Toolroom Foreman. In 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, 377 Light Maintenance Company in Manitowoc, and was activated to the Vietnam War in 1968, returning home in 1969 upon honorable discharge. Dad worked at the Aluminum Specialty/Foley Company for over 41 years until plant closure. In 2001, he began working at Natural Ovens Bakery where he worked part-time as a machinist for ten years.
On June 20, 1964, Dad married our mother, Judith Kinstetter, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kewaunee. Together they were blessed with two children, Jamie Ann, and Justin Donald. They enjoyed camping, polka dancing, and maintaining their home/property. They further enjoyed attending their children’s choral/band concerts and sporting events and in later years their grandchildren’s extracurricular activities and sporting events. They divorced after 44 years.
In July 2009, Dad met Phyllis Heimerl at a polka dance, and they waltzed together until the end. They traveled to the Rose Bowl, Alaska, and Yellowstone; took numerous bus trips, and enjoyed polka dancing, fishing, and biking. They followed the UWGB Phoenix Girls basketball team, watched the Green Bay Packers, attended many family events, and played cards with friends. They were happily engaged for many years and enjoyed spending time together.
During Dad’s retirement, he enjoyed working in his immaculate yard; he was very particular with his lawn and flower beds. Dad always took pride in his most beautiful vegetable garden. He found great contentment in his workshop planning, designing, and fabricating wooden items for his family and friends which will forever be treasured by their recipients. Dad’s perfectionism and precise craftmanship were much appreciated in all his wood creations. He could make and/or fix just about everything. Dad always enjoyed talking “shop talk” with his three oldest grandsons about current projects at their work. Quite often “the boys” would ask Grandpa for his opinions and comments about home-related projects, landscaping advice or home maintenance needing to be done; his entire family asked him for his opinions and comments when doing projects. Dad took considerable pride in his family, and we were very proud of him. He was a hardworking, loving, caring, God fearing and handsome man.
One year ago, Dad’s end of life journey began as he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, Stage 3. During this past year we focused on making memories. Time spent driving back and forth to Froedtert for doctor appointments, treatments, hospital stays, and ER visits created memories. He was blessed to celebrate his 80th birthday in May with immediate family, planted his garden, maintained his yard, and baked delicious oatmeal raisin cookies. He continued to amaze us. We were grateful to share in another Thanksgiving as family knowing this would be his last. Dad met his third great grandchild in December, and we gathered one last time in his home on Christmas Eve Day creating our last precious memories, all of which he did not think he would achieve.
Dad is survived by his two children and their families: Jamie (Wayne) Pearson and Dr. Justin Kuehl (Trisha Smith); grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jacob (Megan) Schnell, their son, Easton, and Baby Schnell due in May; Jeremy (Becca) Schnell and their daughters, Reagan, and Evelyn; Jeffrey Schnell (Maggie Hassemer); Elizabeth Kuehl and Darian Kuehl. Dad is also survived by his step-grandchildren and one step-great grandchild, Travis (Emma) Pearson; Levi (Taylor) Pearson and their daughter, Harlow; and Brian Pearson. He is further survived by his fiancé, Phyllis Heimerl, sister, Jean Zoromski, mother of his children, Judith Kuehl, as well as his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marion Feuerstein, and Richard (Carol) Kinstetter. Nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends also survive. Dad was preceded in death by one grandson, Jordan Schnell, his parents, Lester and Anita Kuehl, his in-laws, Alois and Arvilla Kinstetter, and two brothers-in-law, Ralph Zoromski, and Eugene Feuerstein.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc, with Pastor Matt Zimpelman officiating. Following the funeral service, military rights will be accorded at the church by Two Rivers American Legion Post 165 and VFW Post 1248 Honor Guard. Family will greet relatives and friends at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, January 7, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Committal services will take place at Riverview Public Cemetery, Kewaunee, on Saturday at 3 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
Dad was a strong man of faith; he never complained and trusted God’s plan which would be good. He comforted his loved ones by reminding us we would see each other again someday. Dad continued to amaze his family; he lived every day to its fullest. His words of wisdom, years of knowledge and help will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Dad once told us: “If they can’t fix me here, I know where I am going; God has a plan for me.” We will miss his phone calls, our times with him, his fatherly/grandfatherly guidance, and his unconditional love. Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa’s memory will remain in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Dad’s name to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc.
We want to thank Dad’s medical team at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center, Milwaukee; Holy Family Memorial Emergency Room, Manitowoc; Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, Manitowoc; and Home Instead, Sheboygan. Our family greatly appreciates all support, guidance, care, and concern received throughout this year-long journey.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair Streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
