Patrick A. Kunnert, age 77, of Dubuque, IA, died peacefully at his home on Friday, May 1, 2026, following a brief yet courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Church of the Nativity. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Church of the Nativity, with Msgr. James Miller and Dcn. Mike Timmerman officiating. A livestream of the funeral mass can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/5905765. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.

Pat was born on January 29, 1949, in Dubuque, the son of Arnold “Jake” and Melita “Letty” (May) Kunnert. He married Diane Brimeyer on November 24, 1984, at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque.

Pat proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Sergeant (E-5) during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1969.

He later served as co-owner and retail manager of Kunnert’s Sports for 38 years, retiring in 2015, and was grateful for the opportunity to meet and support generations of people in the community in their athletic pursuits.

Pat led a faith-filled life and was deeply involved in his Nativity parish community, where he was a Eucharistic minister and served on several committees over the years, including Nativity’s St. Vincent de Paul committee. He also dedicated many hours to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and served as a board member of Holy Ghost Credit Union.

Pat, or “Knute,” as his Wahlert classmates called him, enjoyed golfing with Joe Herrig and other friends, cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes, and above all, treasured time spent with his family—especially playing Euchre together at Frentress Lake. He took great pride in being “Papa” to his five grandsons and loved attending their games and activities.

He is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his children, Nicholas (Kristen) Kunnert and Natalie (David) Kane; his five grandsons, Lucas and Drew Kunnert, and Charlie, Paul, and Kevin Kane; eight siblings, Kevin (Mary Warner) Kunnert, William Kunnert, John (Kimberly Erusha) Kunnert, Thomas (Kelly Kehoe) Kunnert, Barbara (Rob) Stoffel, Beth (Bill) Ries, Susan (Bill) Techau, and Kathleen (Ivan) Gruhl; sisters-in-law, Debra Vrotsos and Darla (Dave) Wisinger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sharon “Deetsy” Kunnert; his father- and mother-in-law, Nick and Verna (Riniker) Brimeyer; and his brother-in-law, Curt Vrotsos.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Pat’s honor to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Honor Flight of Dubuque, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Roger Ott, Dr. Engelman, Dr. Li, and Dr. Bland of Medical Associates; the staff on the surgical floor of MercyOne Hospital, and the entire Hospice of Dubuque team— especially Megan— for their compassionate care. The family also greatly appreciates the outpouring of love and support from the community—the many cards, phone calls, and visits brought comfort and strength.