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.