Walter J. “Wally” Kunnert, 86, of Dubuque passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm Friday, July 19 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 pm Friday at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church.  Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A livestream of the Mass can be viewed at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Wally was born September 21, 1937 in Dubuque, son of Walter A. and Helen (Graham) Kunnert. He graduated from Loras Academy and attended the University of Iowa.

On April 19, 1958, he married Beatrice “Bea” Bacon at the Church of the Nativity.

Wally was a true entrepreneur.  He began his career with Jaeger-Kunnert Wholesale Grocers.  He then opened Jim’s Drive-In, one of the first drive ins in Dubuque.  After Jim’s Drive-In, he opened a Shakey’s pizza, which later became the Shot Tower Inn, which he ran for many years until his retirement.

Upon retirement, Wally and Bea moved to their place on Lake Bellaire in Bellaire, Michigan, where they lived for 20 years before moving back to Dubuque.

Wally absolutely loved people. He enjoyed golfing with the “redshirts”, fishing, pulling practical jokes, and was always good for a “one-liner” all day long.  He loved his customers at the Shot Tower and having them come in for the “440” club. Every year at the Shot Tower’s customer appreciation party, he would play a video he produced, which had many comedic skits that he had created.

Wally was a past member of Dubuque Golf and Country Club and the Dubuque Optimists Club.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice “Bea” Kunnert of Dubuque; six children, Kristine Doll Castino of Plover, WI, Karen Kunnert of Georgetown, TX, Kim (Jim) Thomison of Silver City, NM, Jim (Cori) Kunnert of Dubuque, Rob (Tania) Kunnert of Dubuque and Katherine Kunnert of Albuquerque, NM; 15 grandchildren, Joe Doll, Jessica (Joe) Spertoli, Samantha Doll and Will Doll; Stephanie (Mike) Grubb, Robert (Mel) Roussel and Emily (Anson) Walling; James (Allison) Thomison II and Taylor Thomison; Gabrielle Finn, Emma Kunnert, Cal Kunnert, and Mia Kunnert; and Megan Kunnert and Kaia Schmitt; and 11 great grandchildren.

He was also survived by two brothers, Richard Kunnert and Fred (Sue) Kunnert and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons in law, Philip Doll and James Castino; and a sister in law, Nancy Kunnert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque or Stonehill Care Center.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque and the Memory Care Unit at Stonehill Care Center for their wonderful care.