Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KUNNERT, Walter James "Jim"
KUNNERT, Walter James "Jim." (Dubuque, IS, Sept. 21, 1937--Dubuque, IA, July 17, 2024). Wally was the 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. (1)
Wally began his career with JAEGER-KUNNERT COMPANY. He then opened Jim’s Drive-In, one of the first DRIVE-INS in Dubuque. After Jim’s Drive-In, in 1967 he opened a Shakey's Pizza franchise in Dubuque. (2) After dropping the franchise, updating the recipe for pizza, and adding new items, he unveiled the popular SHOT TOWER INN (THE). In 2024 his son, also named Jim, still owned the restaurant. (3)
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Source:
1. Obituaries. Dubuque Today, Online: https://dubuquetoday.com/obits/walter-j-kunnert/
2. Ibid.
2. "Original Owner of Popular Dubuque Restaurant Dies," THonline: https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_e2d78800-4487-11ef-9cee-ef53187535a0.html#tncms-source=block-contextual