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Engelbert Kuntz Obituary

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Engelbert Kuntz

Rugby, ND

February 2, 1929 - October 22, 2022

Engelbert Kuntz Obituary

Engelbert, known to most as Bert, was born at home in rural Tunbridge, North Dakota. He was the second born of 8 children to John and Theresia (Mattern) Kuntz, who came from Odessa, Russia, via Germany. This made him the first generation in his family to be born in the United States. Engelbert passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at his home, surrounded by family.


Bert was raised on the family farm, which was the homestead of his Mattern grandparents. Growing up he worked on the farm, growing crops, milking cows, doing any chores that needed to be done. His family had a strong faith, attending church every Sunday, no matter what the weather was. During his childhood, his grandmother, Helen Mattern lived with his family, he speaks fondly of her. Telling many stories of life lessons, she taught him. Like knowing which cow pies will make the best heat for their stove at home, and when times were good, baking one chocolate and one white cake each week for the family to enjoy. School was difficult for Bert, speaking only German at home and English at school. He attended a country school through eighth grade, then on to one year of high school in Berwick. Eventually obtaining his GED in 1985 at the age of 56. He worked on the family farm and for neighbors, one had him replace the light on top of the water tower in Towner. He climbed all the way up to the top and replaced it for only $5. Working on machinery came easy to Bert, he was especially proud of building snow-planes with his brothers, for his family and then for some neighbors.


Bert was then drafted for World War II clean-up efforts. He got his orders but wasn’t able to serve. Shortly after he was redrafted for the Korean War. He went to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO for basic training. Then was stationed in Suwon, Korea. He arrived by boat on Christmas Eve 1951. He has told many stories from his time in the service. For instance, when a semi-trailer arrived with a shipment of food, no one knew how to back it up to the dock to unload. He asked if he could give it a try, and on his first attempt backed it right up! Another story, after having mechanical trouble with a rock crusher, it went a couple weeks inoperable before asking if anyone could fix it. He asked what kind of engine is it? After learning it was a case, he said I’ll have it running in no time. Sure, as heck, he got it running. This earned Bert his Sargent stripes. His love of farming was evident even in Korea, he helped a local Korean plow a field with his ox. He sent home all the money he earned except what he saved to pay a local woman to wash his clothes. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1953 as a Tech Sargent, which he was so proud of. When his tour was over, the boat dropped him off in California. He bought his very first car, a brand new 1953 Studebaker.


Returning home from the service he worked for the elevator in Pleasant Lake, ND, Richard Rocheleau a house-mover, and as a mechanic at Tuchscherer Implement, and Buchl Implement. He has always been a Case International guy. Working in Rugby, Bert was a regular at Marie’s Café. He was smitten with one of the waitresses there. After many attempts, he finally got the courage to call and ask her for a date. After dating for a few months, in 1966, Bert married Violet Ostenson. They eventually made their home at the Mattern homestead. Bert said at his wedding, the priest told him to be fruitful and multiply, and that he did. He and Violet went on to raise eight kids. And now has 11 grandkids and 4 honorary grandkids. Over the years Bert, Violet and the kids milked cows, raised chickens, pigs and beef cattle. But really farming was Bert’s passion. He was happiest in the tractor plowing a field or raking hay. The summer of 2021 at 92 years old he raked his last field. Every Sunday you could hear the Polka Party blaring from the kitchen radio. Bert loved polka music and was self-taught on the accordion.


Bert lived a hard yet fulfilling life. He has seen his family grow and succeed. He has seen our world change in so many ways, from the great depression to indoor plumbing to being able to watch his political shows on TV. He loved to debate politics, play cards and farm. When we asked Bert what he liked to do for fun he said work. We thought he misunderstood our question, so we asked again, and his response was work hard. He gave his family a strong faithful foundation and has shown us the importance of hard work and making do with what you have.


Engelbert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Violet Kuntz; children, Rose Kuntz (Steve Norman), Helen Kuntz (Roger Nelson), Bill (Renee) Kuntz, Jerry (Kristy) Kuntz, Jeff (Jess) Kuntz, Julie (Jason) Hellman, Jason Kuntz (Stacy Katterman) and Jennifer Kuntz; grandchildren, Mattie (Rance) Kramer, Will and Weston Kuntz, Aubrey, Myles, and Levi Anderson, Jacob, Kathryn, and Emma Kuntz, Lillian, and Jack Engelbert Kuntz; honorary grandchildren, Aubrey, Sophia, Ferrin, and Dilynn Katterman; brother, John Kuntz; sister, Bernice (Jim) Huber; sisters-in-law, Gladys Kuntz and Mardell Kuntz; nieces, nephews; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, brothers; Lawrence (Mary), George, Martin (Stella), Casper, and Daniel.


Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby and burial with full military honors will be in the church cemetery. Father Franklin Miller, Celebrant.


Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday with rosary, vigil prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with no reviewal at the church.


Casket Bearers: Sons, Bill Kuntz, Jerry Kuntz, Jeff Kuntz, Jason Kuntz, son-in-law, Jason Hellman and brother, John Kuntz


Honorary Bearers: Grandkids, Mattie Kramer, Will Kuntz, Weston Kuntz, Aubrey Anderson, Jacob Kuntz, Kathryn Kuntz, Lillian Kuntz, Myles Anderson, Emma Kuntz, Jack Engelbert Kuntz and Levi Anderson


Military Honors Accorded by: The Clarence E. Larson American Legion Post #23

Honor & Color Guard–Rugby, North Dakota and The North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Detail


To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Engelbert Kuntz hosted by Anderson Funeral Homes.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Engelbert Kuntz.