Joseph Kownacki Obituary

Joseph Anthony Kownacki passed away on October 28, 2024, at the age of 81.

A visitation will be held at Iles Westover Chapel on Saturday November 23rd from 11:00am-12:00. A celebration of life service will begin at 12:00pm followed by lunch. Joe will be laid to rest in a private interment for family at Jordan Cemetery in West Des Moines immediately following.

Joe was born January 3, 1943, to Joseph Peter and Stella Cecelia (Matzak) Kownacki in Erie, Pennsylvania. He grew up working on the family farm. He was active in the Catholic Church and served as an altar boy. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 after graduating from Wattsburg High School.

Upon completing his time in the Navy, Joe was traveling from Erie, PA to a dream life in California. During his travels, he stopped in Clinton, IA where we met and eventually married his wife Arlee (Boothby) on October 2, 1965. He attended Clinton Community College while working overnight shifts at the Frontier in Clinton, IA. He later worked as a painter while attending University of Northern Iowa obtaining a degree in Business with an emphasis on Finance in 1970. During his first marriage, he had 3 children, Angela, Amy, and Tony. His family settled in Norwalk, IA in 1976 where he lived until 1986.

While later living in West Des Moines, he met and married his 2nd wife Cathy (Seifert) on March 2, 1991. Through this union, he gained his youngest daughter, Trisha.

Joe loved to vacation with his family in places such as Lake Okoboji, The Ozarks, and Branson. He enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren bike riding, swimming, ice skating and sledding. Joe took great pride in the upkeep of his family home and yard. He enjoyed planting trees, gardens, and flowers.

Joe was a big fan of women softball, basketball, and volleyball. He didn’t care to have favorite teams, but instead favorite players who he followed throughout their collegiate career. He also loved to show his pride and cheer on his children and grandchildren as they participated in sports, color guard and other activities throughout their lives.

Joe’s career included positions of HR/Benefits Administration and Management for Maytag, Massey Ferguson, Meredith Corporation, and Greyhound Amalgamated Trusts until he retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Iowa in 2006.

Joe is survived by his children Angela Kownacki, Amy Martinez (Ruben), Tony Kownacki (Jennifer) and Trisha Kirkpatrick (Dusty); Sisters Camile Woodling, Toni Henderson, Theresa Lucas (Mike), and Mary Bonaminio; Brother Larry Kownacki (Michelle); Grandchildren Amanda Finley (Ricky), Anthony Tucker (Chloe), Sophie Van Zee, Daren Chambers (Logan), Abbigayle Boyer, Destiny Kirkpatrick, and Brianna Kirkpatrick; Great Grandchildren Lucas, Addy, Owen, Klaus, Charlie, Millie, Hiatt, Wallace, and Ava.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to PSP & CBD Foundation, Inc. at https://pspcbdfoundation.org/honor/ In Honor and In Memory | PSP & CBD Foundation in memory of Joseph Kownacki. Please direct notifications to Amy Martinez, inhonorofjoek@gmail.com

Livestream link can be found below or here: https://youtube.com/live/JJJrFDez7Vg?feature=share

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Joseph Kownacki, please visit our Tribute Store.