Dana A. Kunze

Dana Alan Kunze went home to our Heavenly Father on March 2nd, 2025. Dana was born on January 20th, 1966 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Richard and Barbara (Weppler) Kunze. He attended Griswold High School, graduating with the class of 1984. His passion for teaching led him to obtain a Bachelor of Art degree in Education from Iowa State University in 1988. Following graduation, Dana began teaching art at Audubon Community Schools and found a passion for coaching tennis. While working, Dana obtained a Masters in the Science of Education degree from Drake University and transitioned to the administrative role of principal at Ar-We-Va Community Schools in 1999. He went on to become superintendent and served the Ar We-Va school district until 2007 when he accepted the role of superintendent at Griswold Community Schools. He enjoyed his time in Griswold working with local students and being back in his home community. Dana left the Griswold school district in 2016 and went back to his love of teaching art in the Remsen, Griswold, and CAM school districts before he retired.

Dana enjoyed spending time with family and exploring genealogy and family history. He loved to travel, especially when it involved connecting with relatives or visiting historical sites. He took his niece and nephews on several wonderful trips, including a concert to see The Rolling Stones. Dana was passionate about the history of the town of Lewis and Cass County. He played an instrumental role in restoration and furnishing the Reverend George B. Hitchcock House, and he found joy in giving tours and explaining the history of the site. Dana loved his family and many friends across the country. His witty humor, kindness, and personality will be forever cherished.

Dana is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter and Bessie Kunze; and maternal grandparents, Ira and Nora Weppler; His life will be celebrated by his parents, Richard and Barbara Kunze of Atlantic, Iowa; sister, Rebecca (James) Petty of Glenwood, Iowa; his brothers, Dennis (Kelly) Kunze of Fairfax, Iowa; and Brad (Joanie) Kunze of Lewis, Iowa; his nieces Katlynn (Scott) Lund of Blair, Nebraska; Brooke (Ryan) Dreager of Atlantic, Iowa; and Natalia (Austin) Sindt of Griswold, Iowa; his nephews, Benjamin Kunze of Atlantic, Iowa; Robert Kunze of Lewis, Iowa; Michael Kunze of Lewis, Iowa; and James Kunze of Fairfax, Iowa; and his great-nephews Dylen Dreager of Atlantic, Iowa; Keagen Dreager of Atlantic, Iowa; and Nicholas Lund of Blair, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic with Reverend Jay Denne officiating.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Hitchcock House in Dana's name and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for the Kunze family at this time.