The oldest member of the Custer community and the matriarch of our family, Margaret L. “Peg” Quest Kuntz, passed away Wednesday morning, September 23, 2020, with her son Cody at her side. She was residing at Tender Nest Assisted Living.

Peg was the youngest of four children born to Margaret (Cooper) and Glen T. Quest, joining siblings Lillian, Glen Jr. (Bud), and Mildred. She was born the 9th day of February, 1926, at their ranch home in Sorrel Horse Valley, Big Horn County, MT. Growing up in the Great Depression, Peg rode horseback to school and helped her dad farm with teams, and for all her long life she had a special space in her heart for horses.

She went to the Sorrel Horse Country School for eight years and to four years of high school in Hardin, MT, graduating June 2 of 1943 during a wet snow storm. The Quest family always had many friends in the Custer area, and one young man in particular caught Peg’s eye. She and Edwin Kuntz were married December 11 of 1944, when he was home on furlough. They spent time living in Tampa, FL; Harlingen, TX; and Lincoln, NE as Edwin trained in the Air Force. When Edwin was discharged, they returned to the Custer area and settled in to a lifetime of farming and ranching.

Peg was very much involved on the farm and with the cattle. She drove tractor, rode and roped, irrigated, and cooked for the crew. Three children were born to Peg and Edwin: Belva (Harold Arvik), Rick (Gail), and Cody (Susan). And so her legacy began, with a family she loved dearly. Those were some of her busiest years as she raised her three children, kept the household together, and grew the farm alongside her husband. She was among the biggest fans of the Custer High School sports teams and rarely missed a home game. When the grandkids came along she cheered them on as often as possible; she and Edwin also traveled extensively in their golden years, to sugarbeet board conferences all around the country. Peg was a lifetime member of the Custer Congregational Church and part of the Friendly Circle there, and for over 50 years was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved flowers and landscaping in her yard, she loved buying clothes, and she was even witnessed to dance on the table a time or two!

Peg was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and served her family with much love and pride.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, siblings, her husband Edwin, grandson Will Arvik, and great-grandson Burke Mellem.

She is survived by her children, along with many grandkids and great-grandkids: Sue (Mitch) Gallo [Nate and Taylor]; Chad (Holly) Kuntz [Ty, Trent, Haylee, Julia (Zachary Harris), Brooklynn, Luke]; Beau (Susan) Kuntz [Gracie, Paige, Derek]; Hilary Biggerstaff [Wyatt and Cole]; Liz (Ryan) Mellem [Beckett, Rook, Keaton]; Tami (Beau) Blake [Asher, Emilyn, Marsielle, Muggins]; Jenna (Adam) Duncan [Ethan, Layne, Tavee, Quade]; Morgan (Ty) Rose; and Jace Kuntz.

She is also survived by sisters-in-law Shirley Lich and Mary Quest, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 29, at 1 p.m. at the Custer Congregational Church with inurnment to follow. Those attending are encouraged to wear masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Memorials may be made to Junction City Memorial Park or the Custer Congregational Church.