Mr. James A. Kunze
June 12, 1940 — January 27, 2009
James A. "Jim" Kunze, 68, of Grand Island died Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at his home.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Reverend Thomas Clark and Michael Reiners will officiate. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer. Visitation will be on Friday, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the church in St. Paul.
Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.
Mr. Kunze was born June 12, 1940 to Albert & Twila (Weber) Kunze on a farm near St. Paul.
He attended District 12 country school near St. Paul. He started 9th grade at St. Paul High School and graduated in 1958.
He entered the Army in April 1962 and served until April 1965.
He was united into marriage to Carolyn Beed on August 4, 1965 in Grand Island. They bought 11 acres and lived south of St. Paul for 23 years, where Jim worked on the farm with his father for 15 years. When Jim's father retired, Jim went to work driving a sand truck. He also worked for New Holland and trucked for Burkley Pump, Grand Island Express, Nebraska Transport Company, and Yellow Freight. In the summer of 1988 they moved to Lincoln. In 1994 they moved to Cleveland, Ohio and in 2000 they moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Jim retired from trucking in April 2006 and the couple moved to Grand Island.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening and yard work.
He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of Grand Island; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Randy and Janelle Kunze and Ryan Kunze, all of Grand Island, two daughters, Janelle Klinginsmith and Jennifer Klinginsmith, both of Lincoln; eight grandchildren, Taylor, Katlyn, Bodie, Caden, Tristan, Carson, Morgan and Connor; five brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenny and Darlene Kunze of St. Paul, Gary and Karen Kunze of Vista, CA, Marvin and Sandy Kunze of Lincoln, Dale and Beverly Kunze of Owassa, OK, and Danny and Sue Kunze of Grand Island; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Sharon and Dave White and Lori Kunze, all of Grand Island.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Roger; one sister, Diane Klinginsmith; and an infant brother.