Duane “Butch” Kuntz

Published June 24, 2020 at 2:14 PM

Duane “Butch” Kuntz, age 78, of Willmar, died Wednesday, June 24, at Glen Oaks Care Center in New London.

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 27, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar.

Duane Peter “Butch” Kuntz was born April 11, 1942, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the son of Peter and Gladys (Iverson) Kuntz. He grew up and received his education in Grand Forks, graduating from high school in 1960. He then attended technical school and received an electrician degree.

On June 6, 1970, he was united in marriage to Beverly Wilkie in Grand Forks. Together they had three children: Vicki, Duane, and Joline. Butch worked for BNSF Railroad in Grand Forks, Stockton, CA, and Minot, before moving to Willmar in 1982. He served as the mechanical foreman at the Willmar roundhouse until his retirement in 2001.

Butch could fix anything and loved helping his family with repairs. He enjoyed fishing, wood-working, and baking, and will be especially remembered for his homemade donuts. Usually any of these tasks were done while he whistled a tune. Butch loved his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them.

He is survived by his three children: Vicki Kuntz (and Jim Dokken) of Willmar, Duane Kuntz Jr. of Spicer, and Joline (and Michael) Flolo of Willmar; six grandchildren: Bethany Kuntz, Dayton (and Lizzie) DeKam, Isaiah Flolo, Andrew Flolo, Cadence Flolo, and Jaidyn Flolo; and a great-grandson: Avery. Also surviving are two sisters: Pat Phelps and Suzie Kowalewski, both of Grand Forks; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Beverly in 2015; and a sister: Bobbi Roberts.