Wednesday, February 18th, 2015
Dona Mae Kuenning
Dona Mae M. Kuenning, 85, New Bremen, died at 6:05 p.m. Feb. 16, 2015, at Elmwood Assisted Living, New Bremen.
She was born Dec. 12, 1929, in New Bremen, the daughter and only child of the late Harold and Alfa Mae (Coble) Speckman. On Oct. 2, 1948, she married Stanley A. Kuenning, who survives in New Bremen.
Also surviving are their sons, Tim and Marilyn Kuenning and Scott and Linda Kuenning, all of New Bremen; seven grandsons, Mack and Jill, Luke and Amanda, Greg and Heather, Lee and Kendra, Andrew and Lindsey, Rob and Jackie and Jeffery and Kelsey; 14 great-grandchildren, Kole, Reece, Nolan, Halle, Reid, Josie, Jack, Sam, Summer, Gwen, Addison, Spencer, Julia and Mason; and in-laws, Frank and Jeanne Kuenning, New Bremen, and JoAlice and Jim Nieter, Sun City, Fla.
She was a life-long and active member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen. For many years she was a Sunday school teacher, superintendent and elder of the church, sang in the church choir and occasionally played the organ.
She was active with New Bremen Local Schools, where she was involved with the PTA, putting on several plays and musicals, and was the first female elected to the New Bremen Local Schools Board of Education in 1968.
She worked at the former Stamco of New Bremen for several years and played on the Stamco girls' softball team. In 1953, she and her husband bought Western Ohio Hardware and she helped run the store for many years. She specialized in mixing paints and keeping the store neat and tidy. In 1955, she was awarded Ohio Hardware Woman of the Year.
She was the New Bremen village treasurer for a number of years, a member of the New Bremen OCCL, the St. Marys Soroptimist Club and several card circles. She loved music and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul United Church of Christ, the Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating. Burial will follow at German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.
Calling hours are 3-8 p.m. Friday at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul U.C.C. Window Restoration Fund or the New Bremen Historic Association.
Condolences may be left at gilberghartwigfh.com.
