Wesley Kuehl Sr.

Wesley Henry Kuehl Sr. was born on March 5, 1938, in Davenport, Iowa and was raised on a farm off the present day, Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf. He passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf at the age of 84.

He graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1956 where he participated in football and track.  Wes held records in track until the events division was discontinued some years later.  After graduation, he attended Iowa State University.

He was married to Judy Moffit and they had one child, Wesley Henry Kuehl Jr.  In 1973, he married Joyce Towne and they had one daughter, Anna Leigh Kuehl Broders.  Wes was grandpa to three grandchildren, Wesley Henry Kuehl III, Tyler James Broders and Lindsey Renee Princess Broders.

Wes was a U.S. Army veteran and was trained as a medic during his military service.

Most of his adult life, his home had been in LeClaire which he loved dearly, usually driving daily along the river on Canal Shore Drive.

He spent over 50 years devoting his life to serving the community and served on the City Council in the 1980’s.  He as active in the LeClaire Jaycees doing numerous projects, most notably when he was the grounds chairman for the Riveresta (later known as the TugFest) for many years.  Wes served as chairman for 35 years at the Bingo Stand during the Riveresta/TugFest.

He was a devoted member of the LeClaire Civic Club where he served as president for several years and was active in a multitude of Civic Club events over the years.  Most recently, he had been the scorekeeper at the Civic Club’s Saturday Trivia Night.

The First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire was his church home. Wes served on the Session, took care of the lawn and was one of two members who started the men’s group that has met for the past 13 years on Wednesday and Saturday mornings for Bible Study.  He also traveled to Joplin, Missouri with a mission group after a tornado struck the area.

Wes regularly met for coffee with his Republican friends at Hy-Vee, the Civic Club for breakfast and cards once a week at Argo, Iowa.

We cannot forget the CICL (the Community Improvement Corporation of LeClaire), where he was one of the original members of the group to restore the Albert Gross School to be used as an ambulance garage where Wes did extensive concrete for no charge.  Locally, he earned the “Heart of Gold” Award as well as being honored by the Iowa governor as one of Iowa’s Top Volunteer Projects.

The Buffalo Bill American Legion Post 347 was another group he was active in volunteering as service officer for many years.

Wes owned & operated Kuehl Concrete and Kuehl Trucking, doing flatwork for the concrete company all around the area, most notably in Park View and Deerbrook.  The trucking company hauled for his own company and as well as many companies.

Those who honor his memory include his wife, Joyce; his son, Wesley Henry (Candy) Kuehl Jr. of LeClaire; his daughter, Anna Leigh Kuehl (Scott) Broders of Davenport; his grandchildren, Wesley H. Kuehl III, Tyler James Broders and Lindsey Renee Princess Broders; his sisters, Marian (Rick) Carson of Davenport and Molly Kuehl of Davenport; his brother, Les (Sue) Kuehl of Rockwell, Texas; and many other relatives and wonderful friends.

Wes’s funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 1st Presbyterian Church of LeClaire.  Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in LeClaire where military honors will be conducted.  Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the church.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the LeClaire Civic Club or the 1st Presbyterian Church.

His parents preceded him in death.