(Photo) (Veteran)

Thomas F. Kunasek, 82

Thomas F. Kunasek, age 82, of Springfield, Missouri, formerly of Council Bluffs and Blair, Nebraska, died on June 22, 2015, at his home surrounded by his wife, Kathleen, his daughters, Kathy and Patty Kunasek and his granddaughter, Genna. Tom was born in Omaha, Nebraska, September 2, 1932, to the late Frank (2001) and Genevieve (Mazzie) Kunasek (1991). He was the first of three children. Tom graduated from St. Francis High School, Council Bluffs, in 1950 and went on the serve in the U.S. Navy in 1951. During the Korean War, Tom served on the USS El Dorado, an Admiral ship, for four years. He played baseball for the Navy while serving, which he said was one of the happiest times of his life. When he returned home to Nebraska, Tom began his 40-year career with the railroad industry, beginning with the Union Pacific and retiring with Burlington Northern in 1994. Tom married JoAnn Kirkpatrick in Omaha in 1955. They were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Patty. Tom met Kathleen Fern Wohlers-Niermann while working at the Burlington in the early 1970s. They married in Las Vegas on June 13, 1972, and lived together with Kathleen’s daughter, Angie Niermann-Mitchell, in Blair for ten years. During that time, Tom coached baseball for the Junior American Legion Baseball League with his dear friend, Pat Mallette. Coaching baseball was on of Tom’s greatest loves and passions. Tom was a member of the Railroad Clerks Union, Eagles Club Aerie #154 in South Omaha, VFW Post #1251 in Blair, American Legion Post #2 in Council Bluffs and the Elks Lodge #409 in Springfield, Missouri.

Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathleen Kunasek of Springfield; daughters: Kathy Kunasek Sorensen of Council Bluffs, Patty Kunasek of Omaha, Angela Niermann-Mitchell of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren: Travis Sorensen, Genna Sorensen, Charisa Sorensen-Timmins, Megan Mitchell, Matthew Mitchell, Mackenzie Mitchell; great-grandson, Matthew Sorensen; brother, Dick (Kathy) Kunasek, Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Carol Bronson of Boulder, Colorado; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lu and Bill Wolff of Pittsburg, Kansas; many nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family, Sunday, 4-6 p.m.at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Funeral service, Monday, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites tendered by the American Legion Post #2. A luncheon will follow at the Walnut Hill Reception Center, 1350 E. Pierce St. Memorials are suggested to St. Albert Schools, 400 Gleason Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

Omaha World Herald 26 June 2015

(Photo) (Veteran Flag)

Kunasek, Thomas F. Sep 2, 1932 - Jun 22, 2015 Springfield, MO, formerly of Council Bluffs, IA, and Blair, NE. Preceded by parents, Frank (2001) and Genevieve (Mazzie) Kunasek (1991). Tom graduated from St. Francis High School, Council Bluffs in 1950 and went on the serve in the U.S. Navy in 1951, during the Korean War, serving on the USS El Dorado, an Admiral ship, for four years. He played baseball for the Navy while serving, which he said was one of the happiest times of his life. When he returned home to Nebraska, Tom began his 40-year career with the railroad industry, beginning with the Union Pacific and retiring with Burlington Northern in 1994. Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathleen Kunasek of Springfield; daughters, Kathy Kunasek Sorensen of Council Bluffs, Patty Kunasek of Omaha, Angela Niermann-Mitchell of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Travis Sorensen, Genna Sorensen, Charisa Sorensen-Timmins, Megan Mitchell, Matthew Mitchell, Mackenzie Mitchell, great grandson, Matthew Sorensen; brother, Dick (Kathy) Kunasek, Phoenix, AZ; sister, Carol Bronson of Boulder, CO; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lu and Bill Wolff of Pittsburg, KS; many nieces and nephews. VISITATION with the family, Sunday, 4-6pm, Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE, Monday, 11am at the funeral home. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites tendered by the American Legion Post #2. Memorials are suggested to St. Albert Schools, 400 Gleason Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51503. CUTLER-O'NEILL-MEYER-WOODRING Bayliss Park Chapel 545 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 712-322-7779

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~