Dolores Jane (Thiering) Kunde

Dolores Jane Thiering Kunde of Tipton, passed away at the age of 94, on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.  She was surrounded by the love of her family. Visitation held on Thursday, April 7th from 4:00-7:00 at Fry Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tipton.  She will be laid to rest at Inland Cemetery near Bennett.
Family asks that all cards and memorials be mailed to 203 Sand Trap Circle, Tipton, IA 52772. Memorials may be written to either Trinity Lutheran Church or Cedar County Senior Dining. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. 
Dolores was born to Harry and Alma Bauer Thiering on March 27, 1928 on a farm in Cedar County.  German was her first language, but she quickly learned English from her older brother.  She attended country school until the 8th grade and then started riding the bus with the neighborhood to attend Tipton High School.  She graduated from Tipton in 1945.   It was on the bus and at high school that she met her future husband, Elmer Kunde.  They were married May 25, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tipton and eventually settled a mile from where she grew up on a 160 acre farm.  Together they raised two sons and a daughter.  Dolores was accomplished as a farmer’s wife having grown up on a farm and helped with the many duties that entailed both in and out of the house. There are many memories of butchering chickens, canning sweet corn and making applesauce.  She was an accomplished sewer and made many shirts for the boys and all of her daughter’s clothes including prom dresses. She learned to knit and crochet, and many afghans, baby sweaters and blankets were shared with family and friends.  As the years passed she bowled in a women’s league, usually sharing the “Sweet 16” board, and in a couples league on Sunday nights.  When her six grandchildren started arriving, between 1980 and 1987 she did daycare for them three days a week.  Don’t mess with bowling and sewing days!  Dolores took up golfing in her 50s and spent many Tuesdays on the course with her friends.  She was a member of the Peacemakers Quilting Club, Tuesday afternoon sewing group, Silver Star Kings Daughters, Women of the Church and WELCA.  She was very active in Trinity Lutheran: on the altar guild, WELCA treasurer, Memorial Committee and volunteering for many cleaning parties held through the years.  She was instrumental in completing quilts to be sent to organizations in the states and throughout the world.  She made many bags for school kits that are sent to Africa and made nearly all the BackPack Buddy bags that were used in Tipton and Bennett.
Dolores will be remembered by sons Richard Lynn (Bonnie) Kunde of Beloit, WI and Dale Allen (Cindy) Kunde of Tipton, daughter Debra Ann (Michael) Cook of Tipton; grandchildren Erin Kunde of Wilmington, MA, Derrick Kunde of Iowa City, Jennifer (Kasey) Keltner of Columbus Junction, Rebecca (Scott) Sammons of Ely, Kelly (Michael) Thomas of Tipton, and Jeremy (Erin Petersen) Cook of Riverside; great grandchildren D.J. Kunde, Eloise and Clara Keltner, Marak and Jensen Sammons, and Carter and Blakely Thomas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer, brother Melvin and an infant brother, and daughter-in-law Kerry Kunde.

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