Gene Edmund Kuhl

Gene Edmund Kuhl was born on July 18, 1934, the son of Herb and Alice (Wilhelm) Kuhl in Manning, Iowa. He was baptized into Christ and later confirmed his faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. He received his education from a country school near his home. He was unable to speak English until the second grade, due to his family speaking German within their home. In 1946, his family moved into Manning and he graduated from Manning High School with the class of 1953.

Gene and his late wife, Phyllis (Branning) Kuhl were high school sweethearts. The couple married on August 15, 1954, at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia and were blessed with four children. Together they raised Golden Retrievers and Akitas for many years. Gene worked in agriculture throughout his life, including: working alongside Jim O’Neill as a herdsman with Angus cattle, Triple “F” Feed Sales, and lastly, John Deere. He retired in April of 2005.

Gene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed fishing and coon hunting. Family was everything to him, he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Phyllis cherished watching them grow and attending their various school activities, sporting events and 4-H events.

Gene passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center at the age of 89 years, three months and four days. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Fred and Hilda Branning; wife, Phyllis Kuhl in 2020; two great-grandsons: Jake Muhlbauer and Levi Sawyer; grandson-in-law, Ryan Carlson; and siblings-in-law, Fred Branning Jr. and Pat Branning. 

He is survived by his four children: Connie (Steve) McCollough, Doug (Sue) Kuhl and Kristi (Mark) Hoffman all of Vail, and Debbie (Tim) Kraus of Westside; 12 grandchildren: Stephanie (Brad) Hinners, Stacie (Scot) Muhlbauer, Bradley (Tami) McCollough, Natalie Carlson, Melissa (Obe) Sawyer, Jenny (Justin) Siegner, Amanda (Greg) Bellville, Mitchel (Amber) Hoffman, Michael (Kait) Hoffman, Shane (Amanda) Kraus, Caitlynn (Justin) Heiman, and Cara (Nic) Roesner; 30 great-grandchildren and one on the way: Makayla, Bret (Sarah Crampton), Colter, Shayna, Alyce and Charlie Hinners, Karlie, Ty, Laynie, and Brandt Muhlbauer, Hallie, Aubrie, Dierk, Trace and Clay McCollough, Taryn and Rhett Carlson, Lane, Sebastian, Landon, Bruce Kraus, Raegan Heiman, Mason Hoffman, Ryder and Calvin Bellville, Maddox and Kora Hoffman, Raven Marie Oxendale and Addy Sawyer; brother: Rollin (Darlene) Kuhl of Manning; sisters-in-law: Beverly (Mike Tomlianovich) Branning of Bloomington, Illinois and Bonnie (Ron) Cornelius of Vail; special family friends: Candelaria, Martha and Kassidy; and many other relatives and friends.

His visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. Interment will follow in the Arcadia Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to an organization of your choice.