Kermit "Kerm" James Kuecker

Kermit “Kerm” James Kuecker passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2015 in West Des Moines, IA at the age of 88. Kerm resided at Arbor Springs, West Des Moines, IA and Walnut Ridge, Clive, IA since 2011. Kerm was born to Edward and Ida (Siems) Kuecker on the family farm in Lotts Creek Township, IA, on May 24, 1927. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lone Rock, IA. He graduated from Algona High School in 1945. In 1948, he joined the Air Force and served as a radio operator in Germany until he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1952. He married Connie Dell Haarberg, a Lutheran school teacher, on June 27, 1954 in Wauneta, NE. They farmed near Algona, IA until 1966, when they moved with their five daughters to Nebraska. They lived in Columbus and Schuyler and eventually settled in Imperial in 1974. Kerm continued to farm and later worked for the Frenchman Valley Coop. Kerm was generous with his time and talents. He was active in the Lutheran church, where he served in various leadership roles and in the Lutheran Layman’s League. He was a member of the Chase County Hospital Board for over ten years. He served as president of the local Pork Producers and was active in the Farm Bureau. Kerm took pleasure in visiting with people at church, the Coop, the Senior Center, while delivering Meals on Wheels, and everywhere he went. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, grilling pork, watching old movies, the Cornhuskers, and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Connie in 2009, two infant sons, and six siblings: Delbert, Kenneth, Lucille Farr, Gertrude Balgeman, Lois, and Willis. Kerm is survived by his five daughters: Kathleen Asay, Rochester, MN; Carol Kuecker, Phoenix, AZ; Rebecca and husband James Bish, Manassas, VA; Marcia and husband Michael Hunter, Clive, IA; and Jacquelyn and husband Raymond Bailey, Chicago, IL; seven grandchildren: Lauren and husband Devin McGlynn, Marblehead, MA; Jared Asay and fiancé Jessica Nelson, St. Paul, MN; Matthew Asay, Minneapolis, MN; Nicholas Asay, Lincoln, NE; Aaron Bish, Richmond, VA; Hannah Bish, Arlington, VA; and Leah Hunter, Clive, IA; one great-granddaughter, Madelyn Asay, St. Paul, MN; two brothers, Gerald and wife Genelle Kuecker, Cylinder, IA; Richard and wife Bev Kuecker, Livermore, IA; one sister, Jean and husband Don Gerdis, Algona, IA; one sister-in-law, Hope Kuecker of Clarion, IA, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Iles Westover Chapel, Des Moines, IA. Funeral Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Imperial, NE, on Monday, July 20 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David Kahle officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial. Iles Westover Chapel, Des Moines, IA and Liewer Funeral Home, Imperial, NE are in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be Jared Asay, Matthew Asay, Nicholas Asay, Aaron Bish, James Bish, Michael Hunter, and Raymond Bailey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Lutheran Hour or the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family would like to thank the staff of Arbor Springs, West Des Moines, and Walnut Ridge, Clive, IA, for their warm and attentive care of Kerm.