Donald J. Kudej

FOREST CITY - Donald J. Kudej, age 86, of Forest City died Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City from complications of a stroke. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City with Fr. Henry Huber and Rev. Msgr. Joseph Slepicka officiating. Burial will be at St. Johnís Catholic Cemetery in Duncan, Iowa with Graveside Military Rites by Forest City American Legion Post 121. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, January 22, 2010, at the Peterson Lund Funeral Home, 505 North Clark St., Forest City. There will be a Parish Scripture Service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue an hour prior to service at the church. Donald Joseph Kudej was born on June 19, 1923, on a farm southwest of Duncan, IA. He was the son of Matthew and Emma (Hejlik) Kudej. During WW II, Don was a Sergeant in the United States Army, serving in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946. On January 4, 1949, Don was united in marriage to Florence Currier, recently celebrating over 61 years of marriage. The couple made their first home on a farm in rural Duncan, ...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

A. In 1955, they moved to a farm near Wesley, IA. In 1963, he purchased an acreage near Forest City. He was employed by Winnebago Industries for 25 years. He was proud of the fact that he helped build the first Winnebago motor home. He always was a farmer at heart. His children and grandchildren enjoyed his storytelling about his life adventures. He enjoyed listening to his polka music. Don is survived by his wife Florence; his children Lawrence (Kim) Kudej of Swisher, IA; Joyce (Sandy) Gruhn of Humboldt; Keith (Charla) Kudej of Madrid; Dr. Ray (Amy) Kudej of Westborough, MA; and David (Laura) Kudej of Forest City and son-in-law Jim (Tracy) Voss of Mason City. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew Kudej, Angie (Voss) Clark; Andrew Voss; Dan and Joe Gruhn; Adam and Chuck Kudej; Emma and Ellie Kudej; Anton, Josef and Sophia Kudej; and step-grandchildren Matthew and Kate Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Donna (Kudej) Voss, a grandson Michael Kudej, and a granddaughter Christine Joy Gruhn; and brothers, Robert and Eugene. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to St. James Catholic Church in Forest City.