Louis Kochendorfer

Louis David Kochendorfer, 88, of Guttenberg, Iowa, formerly of Dubuque, died Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the Guttenberg Care Center. He was the son of Adolph and Susan (Kennedy) Kochendorfer and was born on January 13, 1921 in Dubuque, at the Dubuque jail house, where his uncle Frank Kennedy was Sheriff. Dad shared with us many stories of those days. Louie joined the Marines in 1941 where he was with the Marine Canine Corps training dogs for combat duty in the Pacific, and eventually accompanied the outfit to the Wallace Island, British Samoa, American Pango and Ellis Islands. Returning from the war, Louie moved to Guttenberg and then later married Jean Kathleen Palm on December 24, 1948 in Dubuque. The couple established their home in Guttenberg where they lived and raised five children. Louie was an avid hunter and fisherman, and when he retired from John Deere in the 1980s he was able to pursue his enjoyment of the outdoors for many years. He will always be remembered as a great Dad and Grandpa as well as a good friend to many. His love of family, the outdoors and nature was well known and his unique spirit will be sadly missed by all. Those left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Sue (fianc, Jim Steen) McCusker and Gina (Dennis) Delaney of Guttenberg; three sons, John Kochendorfer of Guttenberg, Bill (Jean) Kochendorfer of Dubuque, and Adolph (Julie) Kochendorfer of Fort Dodge; six grandchildren, Terra (Todd) Miller, Zachary (Angie) Ungs, Sean Delaney, Nicole McCusker, Jackson Kochendorfer and Veronica Hollister; and four great-grandchildren, Ava Miller, Mason Miller, Isabela Ungs and Mia Ungs. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean in 2003, one sister, Jean Kann, two brothers, Adolph Kochendorfer and Milton Lear; three brothers-in-law, William B. Kann, Maurice Palm, and John Palm. The Kochendorfer family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at the Guttenberg Care Center and Joy & staff from Heartland Hospice for their loving care of Louie.Casket Bearers: John Kochendorfer, Bill Kochendorfer, Adolph Kochendorfer, Dennis Delaney, Zachary Ungs, and Sean Delaney.The Kochendorfer family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at the Guttenberg Care Center and Joy & staff from Heartland Hospice for their loving care of LouieVisitation: 3 - 8 PM Sunday March 22, 2009 at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, GuttenbergFuneral Service: 10:00 AM Monday March 23, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, GuttenbergInterment: Resurrection Cemetery, Asbury, Iowa Service Information A service summary is not available