Emil Kuenning purchased the Kuenning family farm in 1913, and it remained in the family for four generations until 2005, when it was transferred to the New Bremen Foundation. On this site, Earl and Esther (Dicke) Kuenning's sons were born: Thomas Earl on March 5, 1920, Robert Emil on July 13, 1921, and David Dicke on September 30, 1924. The older Kuenning boys served in World War II, with Tom as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps and Bob as a U.S. Navy supply officer. Tom retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and returned to New Bremen, while Bob became an automobile dealer there after the war. The Kuenning Dicke Natural Area was created in part and dedicated in remembrance of Tom and Bob Kuenning and their service to the country and the community.