Matthew "Matt" Ralph Kuehl 1966 - 2018

OKANE, KUEHL, DEMPSEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2018 at 10:10:58

Sioux City Journal
17 May 2018

Des Moines, formerly Sioux City

Matthew "Matt" Ralph Kuehl, 52, of Des Moines, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Monday, May 14, 2018, at his residence from natural causes associated with his long battle with alcoholism.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Cathedral of the Epiphany Parish in Sioux City. The Very Rev. Brent Lingle and Rev. Jerome Cosgrove will concelebrate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a rosary at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Matt was born on Feb. 18, 1966, in Sioux City, the son of Robert and Delphine (O'Kane) Kuehl. He graduated from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in 1985. One of Matt's fondest memories while at Heelan was his reign as Homecoming King. He was so honored to have received such a compliment from his classmates. He remained friends with many of his high school classmates up until his passing.

He married Kelly Dempsey on Jan. 28, 2000. They later divorced. Matt worked as a salesman in home health care in Des Moines. His quick wit and sense of humor helped him excel in this field for many years.

Matt was actively involved in AA and chaired many meetings. He was often called upon to help in the recovery community, which he thoroughly enjoyed. This was a true testament to Matt's ability to relate to people and his kind and caring heart.

Matt loved to play cards, especially pitch. He cherished teaching his nieces and nephews how to play the game and those memories will last a lifetime. Matt loved his nieces and nephews and treated them all as if they were his own children. He was a huge Notre Dame and Denver Broncos football fan. His ability to tell jokes and stories was uncanny. His larger than life personality is what made him legendary and that is what will live on forever.

Survivors include his five siblings, Pam Crowe of Omaha, Dan (Anne) Kuehl of Sioux City, Pat (Karen) Kuehl of Sioux City, Scott (Debra) Kuehl of Sioux City, and Rob (Kathy) Kuehl of Sioux City; an uncle and aunt, John and Pauline Kuehl of Sioux City; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Delphine Kuehl; his aunt, Rosie O'Neill; his nephew, Michael Kuehl; and brother-in-law, George Crowe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Bishop Heelan Building Fund in his memory.