Decorah, Iowa - Colette Agnes Kuhn

August 31, 1929 - January 24, 2026

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

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Cresco, Iowa, with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m. at the church on Friday. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 8:45 a.m. Inurnment will be held 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.

Colette was born at her home on August 31, 1929 to John and Martha (Kuennen) Elsbernd. She graduated from grade school in Festina, IA, and high school from Immaculate Conception Academy, Dubuque, IA in 1947. On September 22, 1948, she married Anthony W Kuhn, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Festina, IA. Colette and Anthony farmed near Ridgeway, IA. 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, & holding church leadership roles at St Wenceslaus church & school, Spillville, IA. In 1987 they moved to Cresco, IA, where she volunteered at nursing homes and for the Notre Dame Parish.

In May 2017 she moved to Arlin Falck Assisted Living, Decorah, IA. 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 & 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 & integrity. Together, Colette & Anthony were an example of faith & love.

She is survived by three sons Leo (Mary), WI, Mark (Ruth), IA, Albert (Karen), IA; six daughters Ruth (Bob) Schluter, IA, Rosemary (Greg) Courtney, MO, Germaine Kuhn, IA, Martha (Robert) Stussy, WI, Kathy (Tom) Young, IA, Lois (Ron) Olsen, MN; daughter-in-law Jeanie (Maria) Kuhn, IA; 28 grandchildren; great and great-great grandchildren totaling 75; in-laws Therese Schmitt, Anna Mae Kuhn, Jerome & 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; in-laws - Br. Sebastian Kuhn, Rita (John) Schmitt, Raymond Kuhn, Roman Schmitt, & Margaret Mary (Jim) Bentz.