Denis Michael Kuntz (68) slipped quietly from this world into the everlasting with his Lord and Savior March 4, 2016. He was loved and cherished by so many.
Denis was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on April 11, 1947 to Michael and Martha Kuntz. From day one Denis left an impression on peoples’ lives. He started walking at 7 months old and never stopped going. He was the eldest of 7 children.
Denis wore many hats in his short lifetime; some of the biggest were being a father, a husband and a friend. He was strong, he was loyal, he was caring, he was compassionate and he had a smile that could light up a room.
Denis attended high school at Assumption Abbey for four years in Richardton, North Dakota, where he wrestled and played football. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Bismarck in 1965. Denis signed up for the army after high school and went through basic training in Washington, he was honorably discharged. He met and married his first wife Dena Roth and had two children Chris and Ronya.
He moved to Thorne Bay, Alaska on Prince of Wales Island in 1973 to work as a maintenance man for Louisiana Pacific. On a trip back home to North Dakota he met the love of his life Joni Fredrickson. They were married in Craig, Alaska on December 10, 1977. They made Alaska their home leaving a huge legacy behind. They had two girls Stacy and Cori.
Denis and Joni started Mitsy Enterprises on accident when the boat that delivered groceries to the camp broke down. They had a small sawmill and truck to haul lumber in. They were asked to take their truck and go to Ketchikan and get the camp’s supplies. Their company grew from there. In 1986 Denis and Joni and their two girls Stacy and Cori moved to Craig where they built a warehouse and hired more employees. One of his employees summed it up perfectly, “he was my boss, my workmate and my friend, a rare combination.” He worked hard over the 20 years Mitsy Enterprises was in business and went on to retire from Northland Services. He did more than deliver freight, he touched people’s lives and everyone that knew him would agree his smile was contagious and his heart was huge and had so much love for all.
Denis had a huge influence on the growth and commerce on Prince of Wales Island. Denis was the first mayor of Thorne Bay when it was incorporated as a city. He lobbied Washington D.C. for the timber industry, he helped write a bill so people could buy their land in Thorne Bay when it transitioned from a logging camp. He was a board member and board President for the South-East Island School District and, President, Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce. He was Craig Middle Schools wrestling coach for many years. He was involved in so many things to help with the community of POW, he worked hard at Mitsy Enterprises but also believed that volunteering and community service were extremely important for POW and it’s people.
He loved POW, the people and most of all living in Alaska. He loved the outdoors and he loved to fish and hunt and would often be spotted in the summer hopping in his boat and heading out fishing at the end of a long day of driving truck. He usually had his rifle during deer season just in case he saw that jumbo buck. He was overjoyed to take anyone and everyone out fishing. He would be giddy with excitement watching you reel in a fish.
Denis loved to cook and was quite skilled at it, he loved to read and watch old westerns. He had a passion for the Green Bay Packers that could not be swayed even though part of his family tried to sway him to become a Seahawks fan. He got to see Green Bay play in Seattle recently with his Seahawk clad family-he loyally wore his Packers gear.
He loved his family. He loved spending time with them and he loved his grandkids. They held a huge place in his heart and they will miss him terribly. He was a very special Grandpa, so patient and kind, his eyes lit up when he spent time with them. They made him so happy.
Denis was very strong in his faith for God, he had recently been praying the rosary and left a book open facedown on the table with the title of How to Get to Heaven. We know he is up there; sad that he left us too soon, but he knows what he left behind is strong because of him.
Denis and Joni had recently moved from Alaska to Montana to be closer to their families and their aging parents. He went to sleep one night and woke up in Heaven. There are no words that can sum up the life of a man like Denis; he was a great man, an amazing husband, the perfect father, and a loyal friend and community member.
Denis is survived by his loving wife Joni Kuntz, Poplar, MT; his Mother Martha Kuntz, Bismarck, ND; Father in Law, James Fredrickson, Wolf Point, Mt., brothers, David Kuntz, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Michael Kuntz, Nevada, Ronald Kuntz, Bismarck, ND; sisters Colleen Martin, Crystal Springs, ND, Marcia Schneider, Boise, ID, Cheryl Schmidt, Bismarck, ND; son Christopher Kuntz, Thorne Bay, AK; daughters, Ronya Langel and son-in law Wayne Langel, Three Forks, MT, Stacy Flores, Port Angeles, WA, Cori Kuntz, Redmond, OR; grandchildren, Cora (John) Person Butte, MT, Rachel (Luke) Bodle, Townsend, MT, Jesse Langel, Three Forks, MT, Sophie Langel, Three Forks, MT, Tanner Flores, Port Angeles, WA, River Flores, Port Angeles, WA, Hunter Flores, Port Angeles, WA; great grandchildren Jace Bodle , a new baby expected in May and numerous nieces and nephews. Denis was preceded in death by his Father; Michael Kuntz, Step Mother, Bertha
Denis is gone but will never be forgotten. He lives on through his kids and grandkids, in the heart of his wife and all of the lives that he has touched in his 68 years. He was loved and cherished by so many and was so blessed to have had so much love in his life.
Mass will be held in Denis’ honor at St. Mary’s in Bismarck, Thursday, March 10 at 12:00pm.
Denis will be cremated; the family will bring Denis to Alaska where a memorial will be held at St. Johns Church in Klawock in July.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Denis’ name to Assumption Abbey, PO Box A. Richardton, North Dakota 58652.