Jeffrey "Jeff" A. Kuecker

Jeffrey A. Kuecker, 71, of McCook Lake, SD, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, under hospice care. Jeff was born on December 16, 1953, in Council Bluffs, IA, to James and Gloria Kuecker. In his early years, Jeff attended schools in Sioux City and Glenwood, Iowa. His family later moved back to Sioux City, where he was a member of the last graduating class at Central High School in 1972. Jeff then went on to the University of South Dakota on an athletic scholarship, playing football for the Coyotes. He graduated from USD in 1976. Jeff worked for IBP/Tyson for 41 years in a number of different positions, starting in Dakota City, NE, then on to Lexington, NE, and finally at the corporate office in Dakota Dunes, SD, retiring in 2023.

On June 15, 1975, Jeff married the love of his life, Trease Simoni. They were high school sweethearts and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June. Together, they built a beautiful life full of wonderful times with family and friends. Jeff was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Trease, a son, Josh Kuecker and wife Kylee of Lexington, NE. Daughter, Summer Phelps and husband Jason of Luverne, MN. Jeff was a proud grandfather to Reese and Kipley Kuecker, Harper and Jaxon Phelps. He is also survived by his sister, Debbie Krecklow and husband David, Syracuse, NE, sister-in-law Cindy Kuecker, Maricopa, AZ, sisters-in-law Tammy Maaske, Sioux City, Rikki Cheney, Waukee, IA, brother-in-law Mike Simoni and wife Sue, Lawton, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father James Kuecker, mother Gloria Kuecker, brother Marty Kuecker, mother-in-law Vera Simoni, brothers-in-law, Ken Maaske, Joe Simoni, Ron Cheney, and sister-in-law Gail Holmberg.

Jeff was someone you could always count on. A loyal friend and family man that saw the good in everyone. He was a hard worker and treated everyone with respect. He was a good man. We may have lost Jeff, but Jeff lost all of us.

In his spare time, Jeff enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and vacationing with his family. Some of his most cherished memories were made fishing in his boat with his son, trips to Blue Lake with the Krecklows, chasing pheasants with the Simoni boys in NW Iowa, hunting waterfowl on a warm water slough in Lexington, NE and traveling to Canada with his buddies to catch “the big one”! Jeff loved the Iowa Hawkeyes sports teams and recently became a fan of Caitlin Clark. He was a proud member of the Coyote Brotherhood, attending alumni weekend every year. Above all, Jeff loved watching his children and grandchildren in their many sporting and dance activities.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.