James Edward Kuemmerle (Jim), age 86, passed away into eternal life on June 20, 2023. Jim was born in Davenport Iowa on September 12, 1936, to Edward and Alma Kuemmerle. Jim graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1954, an all-boys Catholic School, and married his high school sweetheart Mary Jane Westendorf and raised 7 children.
Jim was an entrepreneur his whole life. He loved the business of doing business and owned and created several businesses throughout the years starting in the tombstone business. He owned Art Stone Co and was referred to as the “Tombstone Cowboy”. He continued to expand his business enterprises with coin operated-laundries, dry cleaners, a commercial laundry, a sprinkler system business, a water softener business, an appliance store, advertising business, and a shopping center. We often joked that the only thing he failed at in life was retirement.
Jim was known for his quick wit and philosophy of doing things through his stubborn determination. He would often tell his children, “I’ll take care of the worrying” giving them the courage to take risks in life. Whenever asked how things were going, he’d say “lovely jubbly” demonstrating his zest for life. One of his favorite songs was High Hopes, which reflected his positive outlook.
Jim had a special place in his heart for Dachshunds and you could always find at least one running through his house. Jim enjoyed duck hunting in his early years and had several boys to clean them. He always admired the beauty of the ducks.
Jim loved to give back to the community and served as President of several clubs including the Kiwanis Club. Jim shared his business ethics and desire to give back to the community with his children.
In 1991 he married Virginia (Ginger) Hudson, whom he met in Mesa, Arizona. They moved to Colorado Springs and built Total Home Security which they successfully sold in 1997. They returned to Mesa and started a Real Estate Company, Recommended Realtors.
They enjoyed traveling the globe, learning about different cultures and spending quality time with family and friends.
As Jim would say “I did it my way!”
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Rita Beutel, two of his daughters Anita Marte Kuemmerele and Catherine Ann Schnellinger and granddaughter Caro! Schnellinger. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ginger Kuemmerle and his children Edward J Kemmerle (Lora), Thomas A Kuemmerle {Patricia), Barbara K Hardy (Bernard), William M Kuemmerle (Belinda), Colleen M Bass (Tracy), stepson Thomas M. Hudson (Rose), stepdaughter Carolyn Louise Falkengorg, 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salvation Army.