Jack Lee Tuel

Jack Lee Tuel, age 86, of rural Bayard, IA, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids with his wife Lorraine at his bedside.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids with Pastor Jerry Schultz officiating.  Casket bearers will be Grandsons: Ben Carstens, Jordan Carstens, Ben Schwartz, Blair Weidemann, Joshua Tuel, and Justin Tuel.  Honorary casket bearers will be great-grandchildren: Jackson Carstens, Wyatt Carstens, Mason Carstens, Madelyn Carstens, Cole Carstens, Blake Schwartz, Berkley Schwartz, Tinleigh Schwartz, Carsen Kramer, Sawyer Halstead, Brooks Halstead, Millie Tuel, Zoey Tuel, and Walker Tuel.  Due to Covid – 19, a private family burial will be at Highland Township Cemetery south of Bayard followed by a private family luncheon.

Visitation will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday.  Additional visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. on Wednesday prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Jack was born on August 2, 1933 on a farm south of Bayard, and he was the son of Clifford and Villah (Bell) Tuel.  He joined an older sister, Lois Jean.  Jack attended school in Bayard and graduated from Bayard High School in 1951.  From there he joined the Army and served on the island of Guam for 18 months where he operated heavy equipment building roads and airstrips for the United States.  After his discharge from the Army, he returned to Bayard to marry the love of his life, Lorraine Walker.  They were wed on January 8, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids.  They made their home in rural Bayard in the house that Jack’s parents built.  They never lived anywhere else.

To this union were born three children: Joni, Juli, and Jim.  Jack farmed with his father Cliff, brother-in-law Dwain Myers, and their beloved hired man Ralph Edwards, who became family.  After the retirement of his father and brother-in-law, Jack continued the operation as Tuel Farms with his son Jim and grandsons Joshua and Justin.

Jack was active in the community and in the church as a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, the Bayard Lions Club, Farm Bureau, and Guthrie County Beef Producers.  Many life-long friendships were made from these associations.

Jack loved his Iowa State Cyclones and Chicago Cubs.  He also loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in their school and sports activities.  He regularly enjoyed visiting with his “coffee guys” at Sparky’s.  Jack and Lorraine also enjoyed many trips traveling with friends.

Jack was a man of integrity, honesty and deep faith.  He wasn’t outspoken about any of these things but lived his life as a testimony to all of them.

Jack leaves behind, not to mourn, but to rejoice in his heavenly destination: his wife of 64 years, Lorraine of Bayard; daughters: Joni (James) Carstens of Bagley, IA, and Juli (Steve) Weidemann of Iowa Falls, IA; a son Jim (Dona) Tuel of Bayard, IA, ten grandchildren: Ben (Niki) Carstens, Jordan (Sarah) Carstens, Chelsea (Ben) Schwartz, Blair Weidemann, Abi Weidemann, Maggie (Tanner) Kramer, Paige Weidemann, Emily (Taylor) Halstead, Joshua (Ellen) Tuel, and Justin (Jacey) Tuel; great-grandchildren: Jackson, Wyatt, and Mason Carstens, Madelyn and Cole Carstens, Blake, Berkley and Tinleigh Schwartz, Carsen  Kramer, Sawyer and Brooks Halstead, Millie and Zoey Tuel and Walker Tuel.

Jack’s legacy lives on through all of those who called him husband, Dad and Grandpa Jack.  He was a good man.