Kenneth Ray Tuel

Kenneth Ray Tuel, 79, of Fort Dodge, IA passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024, surrounded by family at the VA Community Living Center in Des Moines, IA. 

Ken was born September 9, 1944, in Carroll, IA, the son of Max and Darlene (Goodwin) Tuel. He spent his childhood years in Coon Rapids before moving to Illinois. In 1963, he graduated from High School in Oregon, Illinois.  Ken proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1969. During his time in Vietnam, Ken was a Huey Crew Chief and flew on numerous missions in support of American and ARVN forces engaged with the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. Vietnam had a very strong impact on his life. He received a Purple Heart in September of 2019.   

He was united in marriage to Ethelynn Reeck of Fort Dodge on December 16, 1967. The two were committed to their marriage and went through all of life’s ups and downs together.  Upon Ken’s return from Vietnam in 1969, they started a family and had three children Chad, Kendra, and Jodie. Over the years, he worked as a maintenance supervisor for various companies. He also did side jobs with his wife including painting and remodeling homes before they retired years ago. 

Ken was a very hard worker. When he wasn’t working, he was lending a hand to help others. He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren who adored him. He took his role as Papa very seriously and made sure his grandkids knew without a doubt how much he loved them. His sense of humor kept everyone on their toes as he liked to joke around. One of his favorite hobbies was restoring old vehicles, especially his ’67 Nova. Ken also enjoyed fishing, hunting, trips to Arizona, and visiting with his nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends.  He was a member of the VFW and had a great amount of respect for all who serve, or have served, our country.  

Ken is survived by his wife of 56 years Ethelynn Tuel; his children Chad Tuel of Mesa, AZ, Kendra (James) Foster of Gilbert, AZ, and Jodie (Andy) Bice of West Des Moines, IA; 4 grandchildren Jacie Foster, Trey Foster, Nylah Bice and Stella Bice; 4 siblings Patricia Bower of Fort Dodge, Beverly Barlow of Coon Rapids, IA, Deborah (Ralph) Koelln of Yale, IA, and Timothy (Angie) Tuel of Glidden, IA.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Trudy Koppen of Fort Dodge, brother-in-law Marty (Pam) Reeck of Humboldt, IA, and brother-in-law Larry (Carolyn) Reeck of Ashland, Oregon, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, mother and father in-law, sister-in-law, Kamma Jorgensen, brothers-in-law, Don Hanysh, Jerry Bower, Dana Barlow, James Jorgensen, and Ronald Koppen, nieces, Marie Jorgensen and Lynn Perucca and one nephew, Brett Barlow. 

Ken will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. He was a husband, father, papa, son, brother, friend, veteran, fighter, overcomer, and most importantly a child of God.   

 A celebration of life for Ken will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 22, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 400 S. 13th Street – Fort Dodge, with Rev. Jerry Raether and Rev. Kendall Meyer officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:30AM until the time of the service.  Interment will take place at North Lawn Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the VFW Post 1856 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge.