Paul Jerome Kuhnel

Paul Jerome Kuhnel, 97, of Shelby, NE died  January 2, 2022 at Saint Joseph’s Villa in David City. Paul was born near Gresham, NE to Adolph and Nellie (Lanspa) Kuhnel on July 23, 1924. The family moved to a farm north of Shelby, NE shortly after. He attended grade school at Blufton Country School and high school at Shelby High School where Paul participated in basketball and football. Following graduation, he attended UNL for two years, majoring in Business.
 He married Stella (Heimann) on October 1 in 1945 and six children were born to this union.  Paul & Stella lived in Kearney for one year, where he worked at NPPD. They then moved back to Shelby where Paul farmed and introduced Kuhnel  Insurance to the Shelby Community in 1946, selling Farmers Mutual of Nebraska Insurance to families in the area until his retirement.
Paul served on the school board for the one room school house called Possum Hollow east of Shelby, Sacred Heart Church Board, Aquinas Catholic School board and served as an usher in church for many years.  He was an avid football fan, enjoyed woodworking, camping, country western music (playing the guitar as a young boy), playing the card game, “65”, and traveling.   He and Stella traveled to every state in the union and to several other countries.  He enjoyed conversation with family, friends and neighbors and really appreciated visitors when he was living at Meridian Gardens in Columbus and St. Joe’s Villa in David City.  He taught his family many wonderful values but most importantly the values of work ethic, faith, honesty and perseverance.  Whenever his visitors departed, he always told them to: “Drive Careful.”
Paul is survived by:  Son, Greg (Donna) Kuhnel of Shelby, NE, Sharry (Robert) Parker of Spokane, Wa, Kathy (Jim) Pelan of David City, Julee (Denny) Kallenbach of Valley, Cindy (Shorty) Hilger of Bellwood and Chris (John) Edmonds of Manhatten Beach,California.  Brother-in law: Leo Lenihan of Omaha, Ne. Nineteen grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Stella, brother Robert (Shirley) Kuhnel  and sister, Rita Lenihan. Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aquinas High School, or St. Joseph’s Villa.

Live streaming available on Sacred Heart Catholic Church Facebook page.

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