Colette Agnes Kuhn

Colette Agnes Kuhn

Colette Agnes Kuhn, 96, of Decorah, formerly Cresco, passed away Jan. 24, 2026 at Barthell Eastern Star, Decorah, after a short illness.

Colette was born at her home Aug. 31, 1929 to John and Martha (Kuennen) Elsbernd. She graduated from grade school in Festina and high school from Immaculate Conception Academy, Dubuque, in 1947. She married Anthony W. Kuhn Sept. 22, 1948, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Festina. Colette and Anthony farmed near Ridgeway. She was busy with her ever-growing family, sewing many of their clothes, as well as tending large gardens, selling honey, managing farm records, working voting polls and holding church leadership roles at St Wenceslaus church and school, Spillville. In 1987 they moved to Cresco, where she volunteered at nursing homes and for the Notre Dame Parish.

In May 2017 she moved to Arlin Falck Assisted Living, Decorah. Residents and staff considered her a joyful, kind presence, always up for activities. When a new resident arrived, the staff seated them at her dinner table because she made them feel welcomed. Her pastimes included playing games and cards (especially 500 & Euchre), and was a whiz at completing 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles -- affectionately called “puzzle champion”.

Colette will be remembered as a giving, gracious and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Family gatherings were filled with her calling bingo, or playing various board and card games. She was always willing to listen and when asked, share her wisdom. Throughout the years, Colette taught her family the value of hard work and integrity. Together, Colette and Anthony were an example of faith and love.

She is survived by three sons: Leo (Mary); Mark (Ruth) and Albert (Karen); six daughters: Ruth (Bob) Schluter; Rosemary (Greg) Courtney; Germaine Kuhn; Martha (Robert) Stussy; Kathy (Tom) Young and Lois (Ron) Olsen; daughter-in-law Jeanie (Maria) Kuhn; 28 grandchildren; great and great-great grandchildren totaling 75 and in-laws: Therese Schmitt, Anna Mae Kuhn, Jerome and Carlene Kuhn.

She is preceded in death by her husband Anthony in 2014, a son Roger in 2004, her parents, one sister - Sr. Ruth Elsbernd, OSF and four brothers – Jerome (Luella), Arnold (Helen), Roger (Gladys) and Joseph Elsbernd and in-laws: Br. Sebastian Kuhn, Rita (John) Schmitt, Raymond Kuhn, Roman Schmitt and Margaret Mary (Jim) Bentz.

A Memorial Mass was set to be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Cresco, with the Rev. Jacob Rouse officiating and visitation from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church Friday and Recitation of the Rosary at 8:45 a.m. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Arlin Falck Assisted Living, WinMed Hospice, or Notre Dame Church.  Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.