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Stanley Kuch
February 19, 1926 - April 28, 2016

Stanley Kuch, 90, of Oelwein passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday April 28, 2016 at his home with his children at his side.  Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Monday May 2, 2016 andfrom 9-10 AM on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.  Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.

Stan was born in Dubuque to Roy Andrew Kuch and Marie Louise Friese on February 19, 1926.  He attended Sacred Heart Catholic and Dubuque Senior High Schools.  Stan enlisted in the Army Air Corps five months before his high school graduation in 1944. Basic Training took place in Amarillo, Texas following graduation.  After Basic training, Stan attended schools in Arizona, Florida and Colorado.  He became a crew member on a B-17 flying fortress for the next two years.

After his military service, Stan attended the Iowa State Patrol Academy in Des Moines and joined the Patrol in 1948.  He began his patrol career in District 9 at Cedar Falls, serving there for two years.

He was joined in marriage to Norma Jean Connors at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dubuque on September 10, 1949.  For the next 13 years the couple made their home in Waverly with Stan working as a State Patrol officer.  He was promoted to Sergeant and the family moved to Manchesterin June of 1961.  In June of 1966 Stan was promoted to District 10 commander and the family then moved to Oelwein where he was in charge of the Northeast Iowa District Post.   

Stan was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, past president of the Lions Club, and past president of the Northeast Iowa Peace Officers.  Additionally, he taught at the Iowa State Patrol Academy in Des Moines.  He was a member of the AMVETS, Iowa State Police Men’s Association and the Chief of Police Association.

He retired from the Iowa State Patrol in 1983.  He was elected and served the next four year as the Sheriff of Fayette County and became active in the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association.

He always looked forward to fishing and pheasant hunting with his family and friends.   Stan especially enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, Florida, or Mexico.

Left to celebrate Stan’s life are his sons:  Bruce (Maureen) of Omaha, NE,  David (Lisa) of Traverse City, MI,  Brian (Beth Kruger) of Victoria, MN and two daughters: Barbara (Jon) James of Fayette and Beverly McLeish (Bob Hand) of Faribault, MN; his grandchildren: Derek, Logan, Austin, Mitchell and Megan Kuch, Matt and Melissa McLeish, Katie Valek,  Sam and Micah James, and Jessica Benter; twelve great –grandchildren; and his special friend Veronica McKenzie of Waverly.

He was preceded in death by his wife Norma (1996); his sister Dorothy and his parents. 

 

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Georgia Hutchison on May 9, 2016 at 11:57 AM said:

I will miss that great smile and greeting that Stan always had, be it in Oelwein or here in PdC. I worked with him in many projects in Oelwein and he was so dedicated to this town. Charlene remembers all the good times Barbara and her had while in school. May the many beautiful memories help ease your pain. God Bless.
Lisa Fleming on May 2, 2016 at 3:45 PM said:

My heartfelt sympathies to all of you. I remember years ago, I was having car trouble and Mr. Kuch came up behind me. I pulled over and he asked if I needed help. I replied that the piece of junk wouldn't go. He smiled and told me it wasn't a piece of junk; it was just having some trouble. Then he offered to follow me to the mechanic and give me a ride home. This was amazing because I had a whole van load of children with me! I was truly touched that day by this wonderful, smiling police officer who cared enough to help me. May your good memories make you smile. Sincerely, Lisa
Larry & Gail Holland on May 2, 2016 at 3:22 PM said:

We both have known,worked with and thought the world of Stan ever since 1962. One of the nicest people we have ever known.
Stan was one of my first Sgt.'s when I came on the Patrol and was instrumental in Gail becoming the Secretary at
District 10.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the children.
May he Rest in Peace forever and ever.
Deacon Ron Forrest, Sioux City, Ia on May 2, 2016 at 2:09 PM said:

Please accept my sincere condolences in Stan's passing. May he rest forever in the loving presence of Christ Our Savior.
Ron Forrest
Ex IHP 64
BCI 623
I-51 Retired
Cheri Lacock on May 1, 2016 at 5:16 PM said:

My thought and prayers go out to Stan's family and all who loved him.
He was a such a kind and gentle man. Stan was a good friend of my father, Bus Adams and I remember many great dinners and fun times together.
We just shared a story about Stan about a week ago. When our son, Darin Fratzke was a very small boy, Stan gave him a Iowa Highway Patrol sticker for his Tonka dump truck; Stan and that sticker left a lasting impression on Darin.
We were all blessed by this good and faithful servant.
Ted Lanske, AMVETS 79 Commander on May 1, 2016 at 3:49 PM said:

To the family; It was truly a pleasure to visit with Stan on the occasions that our paths crossed through the years. My thanks to him for serving our country and our communities and know he will be missed by many. May your memories be of the good times, the laughs, and the love.
God Bless.
Craig Fratzke on May 1, 2016 at 9:39 AM said:

My sympathies to your family. What a fine, fun loving gentleman Stan was! I have fond memories of pheasant hunting with Stan and my former father-in-law Bus Adams 45 years ago or so.
Dick Palmer on April 29, 2016 at 10:59 AM said:

Sten Kuch means the world to me and my family. He has been extremely helpful to me personally during some rather difficult years. Although he was mature, intelligent and had an exceptional quality of leadership, he was also a man of wonderful humor and fun.

I will miss you my friend. Thank you for always being there for me and my family.
J'Andrea Kolsto Gibney on April 29, 2016 at 9:51 AM said:

Stan was a good friend during the years I worked for
Public Health and as the Fayette Co. Relief Director.
Sympathy to all the family.
Lyle & Nancy Miller on April 29, 2016 at 6:13 AM said:

Please accept our condolences. Never met a much nicer guy than Stan. May the Lord be with him.

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