Obit: Kuenne, Edward C. (1937? - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Berger, Haley, Kranc, Kuenne, Poehnelt, Seger, Viergutz, Weir, Westerbuhr, Zondlo

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/16/2014

Kuenne, Edward C. (1937? - 7 JAN 2014)

Ed Kuenne, 76, Chadron, Neb., died on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Hospice House in Rapid City, S.D. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Chamberlain Funeral Home in Chadron, with Dr. Russ Seger officiating. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery.

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----Source: Chamberlain Funeral Home (Chadron, NE), Online obituary

Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Chamberlain Funeral Home in Chadron at 10:00 AM with Dr. Russ Seger officiating. Burial will be at the will be at Greenwood Cemetery. A viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at Chamberlain Chapel until 8:00 PM.

Ed Kuenne, 76, of Chadron, NE, died Tuesday, January 7, at Hospice House, in Rapid City, SD.
His passing was the result of complications from cancer treatment.

Ed and his daughter, Lisa, are owners and operators of Brun's Laundry and Dry Cleaning and Lariat Car Wash. He was "that man" behind the counter; the person customers depended on for help when doing their laundry or washing their vehicles.

Edward C. Kuenne was born in Medford, Wisconsin. He was the first of eight children born into a busy dairy farm family. He learned to milk cows and operate farm machinery at an early age; learning to drive a tractor to help with chores when he was 5 years old. As a boy he developed an interest in moving west to live; perhaps Montana. When he was 16, he went to work a summer job at the Dick Courchaine Dairy in Beulah, Wyoming. After graduating from Medford High School, Ed worked full time for the Courchaine Dairy for several years.

Ed pursued an engineering degree at both the SD School of Mines and Technology and the University of Wyoming. Although work and family obligations prevented him for completing a degree, he had an engineering mind. He could fix anything with a motor, plus do electrical work and plumbing.

He married Pat Haley in Spearfish, South Dakota, in 1966. To this union, two daughters were born, Theresa and Lisa.

Ed and the family moved to Moab, Utah, where he worked in a uranium mining enterprise. The family relocated to Billings, Montana, where he worked as a tank builder and welder at Billings Tank, a company that makes the industrial size tanks.

Ed returned to ranching and farming when he went to work on the Loren Harper Ranch near Sundance, Wyoming. He and his daughter, Lisa, made their home there for several years.

Ed retired from ranch work to pursue other interests. He was a man who was always constructively busy and needed a project, so he bought Brun's Laundry in Chadron, Nebraska in 1992, which became his retirement job. Ed's skill set were perfect for operating a laundry and car wash. He was able to fix everything and maintained an environment that made customers welcome. He smiled often and laughed easily. He became friends with the numerous repeat patrons who knew him as "that man" at the laundry. It was apparent to everyone that he enjoyed his work.

Ed is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren - Theresa (Trae) Berger, Zach, David, and Josh of Acworth, Georgia, and Lisa Westerbuhr and Alex of Chadron, Nebraska. He is also survived by his Wisconsin siblings; Brothers, Marvin (Joanne) Kuenne and Donnie (Jennifer) Kuenne; Sisters, Marge Viergutz, Jane (Dave) Zondlo, Donna Weir and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Theresa (Poehnelt) Kuenne; brother, Bernard, and sister Arlene Kranc.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Chadron State College Rodeo Club or the Pine Ridge School Dorms. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.

Note: Birth information was not published with either obituary.