Gary Kunze

Gary "Doc" Kunze, 70, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away Monday, November, 23, 2015 at the Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Gary Lee Kunze was born December 9, 1944, in Oakland, California, to Lloyd Alvin and Leona (Kunze) Nelson. The family moved to Atlantic, Iowa, and then at the age of eight they moved to Griswold, Iowa, where he spent the majority of his life. He graduated from Griswold High School in 1963 and in 1964 he married Kathleen Hamilton.

They moved to Salix, Iowa, where he worked as an industrial mechanic for Kent Feeds, Knox Gelatin and the Sioux City Foundry, where he was a shop steward. He was a deacon at the Lutheran Church in Sloan, Iowa. Gary and Kathy were foster parents to 68 boys and officially adopted 10 of them. Whenever they misbehaved Gary would make them write repeated sentences as a punishment.

On March 4, 2015, he married Janet Jobe and they made their home north of Atlantic.

Some of Gary's interests were riding his motorcycle, taking day trips with Janet, watching Fox news with his headphones on, field work in the spring, and hauling corn and beans for neighbors during harvest time. He also tore out a lot of fencing on Janet's farm.

Preceding Gary in death were his father, Lloyd Kunze; his mother and step-father, Leona and Kenny Nelson; a brother, Norman Kunze; and a grandson, Michael Kunze.

Survivors include his wife, Janet (Jobe) Kunze of Atlantic, IA; his ex-wife, Kathleen Kunze; sons, David (Brenda) Kunze, Kris (Jenny) Kunze, Brian, Lee, Gabe, Logan, Seth, Tyler, Josh, Dylan, Matt, Daniel, Travis, Brandon and Jake; sister, Martha Richmond; grandchildren, Kass Kunze, Kristy (Derek) Shaver, Karter Kunze, Korey Kunze, Kyrena Kunze, Kolton Kunze, Brittany and Zachary Wuestewald, Kristina Kunze, Kim Kunze and Jennifer Kunze.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care Chapel, Atlantic, Iowa

Saturday, December 05, 2015 11:00 AM

Hockenberry Family Care Chapel, Atlantic, Iowa