Obituary of Eugene K. Kennel

Eugene “Gene” Kennel age 66 died at his Iowa City home on Sunday, March 28, 2004. Private family funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2004 at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, burial will be at Memory Garden’s Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday with a luncheon to follow at the Moose Lodge in Iowa City Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Iowa City City High School Alumni Association and sent to 1900 Morningside Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.@gayandciha.com, click on obituaries. Eugene Kay Kennel was born on December 13, 1937 in Carlton, Nebraska the son of Barbara Springer Kennel. He graduated from Iowa City City High School in 1957. Gene married Donna Harris on August 31, 1957 in Iowa City. For fifty years he worked at Spenler Tire in Iowa City becoming an owner in 1994. He retired and sold the business in 2001. Gene was an avid Hawkeye fan. He worked at Kinnick Stadium running the twenty-five second clock and at Carver Hawkeye Arena as a score keeper. Gene was a history buff, a model railroader and liked to travel. For many years he officiated at local high school football, basketball and baseball games. He never knew a stranger and always had a joke ready to share. Gene’s true love was for his family and his grandchildren. Family members left to celebrate his life are his daughters and their spouses, Denise and Chris Gilstrap of Iowa City, Debbie and Kevin Waechter of North Liberty, Diane and Scott Krchak of Central City and Dawn and Savas Karas of Phoenix, Maryland, five grandchildren Christopher and Drew Gilstrap, Cody Krchak, Sophia and Tessa Karas, siblings, Jeanette Barbel of Omaha, Nebraska, Anita and Lenard Spenler, Norman and Tillie Kennel, Elaine and Willy Yoder all of Iowa City, Ila and Mark Shaw of Coralville, Shirley and Ron Knippa of Morrison Colorado, Russ and Linda Kennel of Rock Island, Illinois, special friend Helen Raders of Iowa City along with many friends and customers from Spenler Tire. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service are caring for Gene’s services and his family.