Tom’s Story

Site created on June 15, 2023

Tom Kunz was diagnosed with Stage 4/end-stage pancreatic cancer in June 2023.  We are using this site to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support, words of hope and encouragement, and prayers. If you would like to help out Tom and Lisa by providing a meal, please check out the meal train at https://mealtrain.com/qnd2mr .

Newest Update

Journal entry by Sarah Knoespel

Thomas William Kunz, age 70, of Waverly, formerly of Byron, St. Charles, and Kasson, died Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at his home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Highland Community Church in Cokato with Pastor Dale Harris officiating. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, both at the church. 

Thomas William Kunz was born July 25, 1953, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Edgar and Donnajean (Cox) Kunz. He grew up in the Kasson area, and graduated high school in 1972. Following his graduation, Tom honorably served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. While stationed overseas, he met and married Su-Mei Lee. After his time in the service, Tom and his family ended up back in Kasson, MN. Tom and Su-Mei divorced and he remained in southeast Minnesota. He later met Lisa Lorenz and on October 24, 1992, they were united in marriage in Rochester, Minnesota. Over the years, they made their home in St. Charles, then Byron, before moving to Waverly in 2004 where they have remained. Tom worked as a sales manager for Furst McNess Company, before becoming self-employed installing flooring. In 1997, he went to work for Universal Marine & RV in Rochester, until he transitioned to working as the marketing director of Textile Care Services until 2002. Following this, Tom continued in the outdoor recreation sales field and worked for Crystal Pierz Marine as the general manager and director of sales. In 2021, he retired from his latest position at Lake Region RVs. Tom was blessed to share his passion for the outdoors by working as a hunting and fishing guide throughout his life.

Tom had a strong, Christian faith and enjoyed sharing the gospel with others. In 2011, Tom answered the call to serve as the executive director of Love INC in Buffalo, and he became acquainted with Legacy Fishing Retreats, where he held a position on the board in his most recent years. He loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He also recently took up woodworking. Above all, Tom treasured the time he was able to spend in the presence of his family.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa of Waverly; children, Tony (Jackie Beltz) Kunz of Rochester, Mei-Ling (Harry) Huie of Rochester, and Sarah (Jeffrey) Knoespel of Green Bay, WI; 8 grandchildren, Ryan, Lacey, Adam, Noah, Kellan, An-Mei, Lucienne, and Kriselda "Zelda"; father, Edgar Kunz of Paynesville; siblings, Jeff (Kathy) Kunz of Oslo, Scott (Fran) Kunz of Richmond, Jamie (Flower) Kunz of DeForest, WI, and Kathy (Larry) O'Malley of Kasson; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Donnajean; and sister, Debbie Swanson.

Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

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