Anthony Aloysius Kuenzel Jr.

Anthony "Tony" Aloysius Kuenzel Jr. was born September 10, 1946, in Villa Ridge, MO to Anthony and Mary (nee' Schmitt) Kuenzel. Surrounded by his loving family, Tony passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at his home in New Haven, MO at the age of 79 years.
Tony grew up in Villa Ridge, MO and graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School in 1964. He continued his education at University of Missouri Rolla and graduated in1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and obtained a Professional Engineering License in Mechanical Engineering. Tony proudly and honorably served in the United States Army 1966-1969; he attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He became an Artillery Officer commanding Headquarter Battery 2nd of the 71st Artillery at Ui Jung Bu, South Korea. Lieutenant Tony attended Syracuse University where he received a Master of Business Admin degree in Finance in 1974. Tony got married in 1980, and welcomed his sons, Anthony and Armand. He took immense pride in them and enjoyed being their mentor.
Tony was the Project Engineer on the development of the North Slope of Alaska Oilfield. Tony worked on building three different Nuclear Power Stations, James A. Fitzpatrick in New York, Callaway in Missouri and WPPS in Washington State. Tony was the project manager to relocate an ammonia plant from CA to Manitoba Canada. He also designed and built the facility for the development of the Stealth Fighter in Pico Rivera, CA for Northrup Aircraft, designed and built the test facilities for the Stealth Bomber in Lancaster, CA for North American Rockwell. Tony was the construction manager for building the Dept. of Energy pilot project to extract uranium hexafluoride by the centrifuge method. He worked for companies such as M.K. Ferguson, Morrison-Knudsen, Monsanto, and MEMC during his career. He turned his focus toward farming, purchasing, and managing real estate, and stock investment opportunities.
Tony was united in marriage to Renee LaFond on June 3, 2006, in New Haven. The couple made their home in New Haven and enjoyed the remainder of their years together. Tony lived his life to the fullest and pursued his vast variety of interests with all his heart and immense passion. Tony loved working on his farm where he raised everything from row crops to cattle. Working with an existing 100-year-old vine of an unknown variety Tony became a vintner. In 2005 along with his son Armand, Tony expanded his vineyard to include other varieties of grapes. Tony and his wife Renee (affectionately nicknamed "cellar rat") perfected their passion for winemaking and powered their dream to open Kuenzel Valley Winery, in 2012 which operated through 2024. From their vineyard the winemaker and "cellar rat" supplied their winery. Using the 100-year-old mystery grape, Tony and Renee made a wine and using both of their names they called it "Torenzel". Tony and Renee built lasting friendships as their hobby became a business. This wonderful little winery provided a fun welcoming place for friends and family to enjoy.
Tony also found success as a businessman through his investments and management of real estate. He ran multiple real estate properties in the area and liked tracking the stock market and managing investments.
Along with his professional and career successes, Tony excelled at a variety of hobbies. He found enjoyment spending time painting, doing carpentry, reading, dancing, sailing, having cookouts and entertaining friends, and he loved growing his own food. He even built his own greenhouse. In 1999, Tony dabbled in community theatre playing Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street.
Tony was known by his family and friends as a" well-dressed man" and enjoyed teaching his sons the art of shoeshining that he perfected in the military. Tony served as a wealth of knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics including finances, gardening, nature, philosophy, and politics. Tony deeply valued moments with his family and treasured every occasion shared with his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and other relatives. Along with being a member of several professional organizations, Tony was a longtime member of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Valley Wine Society, American Legion Post 366 in New Haven, lifetime member of VFW Post 2661 in Washington and he was a parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Church in Berger.
Tony traveled extensively, went everywhere, and saw many things. But he felt Missouri has as much to offer as anywhere in the world and enjoyed staying home on his ranch, especially in his later years.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Mary (nee' Schmitt) Kuenzel; one brother, Glennon Kuenzel; parents-in-law, Raymond and Betty (nee' Schultz) LaFond; and one brother-in-law, Norwood Amos.
He is survived by his wife, Renee Kuenzel (nee' LaFond) of New Haven; two sons: Anthony Kuenzel III and wife Jalesia "Jasha" of Desoto and Armand Kuenzel and wife Grace of New Haven; six grandchildren: Tristan, Brevin, August, Ivan, Teresa, and Archie Kuenzel; two sisters: Mary "Betty" Amos of Washington and Kathy Kuenzel of Columbia; six brothers: Jerry Kuenzel and wife Donna of Washington, Michael Kuenzel and wife Mary Lou of Villa Ridge, Roland Kuenzel and wife Susan of St. Genevieve, Keith Kuenzel and wife Connie of Washington, John Kuenzel of Springfield, and Tim Kuenzel and wife Stephanie of St. Genevieve; brother-in-law, Randall LaFond and wife Janelle of SC; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington with Rev. Jeff Maassen officiating. Full military honors will immediately follow. Interment will be held privately.
Visitation for 79-year-old Tony Kuenzel will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, MO. A parish rosary will be held at 3:30 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VFW Post 2661 in Washington or American Legion Post 366 in New Haven.
The Kuenzel family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, MO.