Henry Francis Kunze

Henry Francis Kunze

December 26, 1929 – August 28, 2025

Henry Francis Kunze was born on December 26, 1929, the fourth son and sixth of eight children born to Henry and Alma (Mahler) Kunze. Named for his father, he was the first child born in the beautiful nearly-new family farm home just outside Ute, Iowa, where he lived throughout his childhood. Henry was well known to the Mahler family because every year they would gather on his birthday at his parent's lovely home to celebrate the holidays. Henry was married to the love of his life, Coreene Nepper, on December 22, 1950. Together they moved to a farm near Mapleton, where he farmed for over 15 years. Henry and Coreene started raising their family of five children there, before moving to Woodburn, Oregon, in October 1967. Henry managed a butchering plant in Hubbard, OR, for many years and later built fences with his son. He and Coreene then moved to McMinnville, Oregon, where they established their permanent home. He thoroughly enjoyed living in Oregon, valuing both the beauty and the weather in the region. Henry took a traumatic fall in May 2024 and had been living in a Rehabilitation Center in McMinnville since that time. He passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at the age of 95.

Henry Kunze had a significant love for life and was a great story teller. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren, often attending their sporting events, music concerts, and plays. He was also an avid Seattle Mariners baseball fan, listening to or watching their games as much as possible. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, and especially liked "foraging" for food. While he was no longer farming, he still discussed it frequently. He had an insatiable interest in and a vast knowledge about farm news. Henry enjoyed crafting and working with wood, creating and building numerous wooden projects following his retirement…everything from planter boxes to birdhouses and even furniture. He thoroughly enjoyed music and could be heard loudly belting out "God Bless America" nearly every morning through the halls of the Rehabilitation Center.

Henry was known to have made the best of any situation, always demonstrating resiliency and a positive attitude. His good natured playfulness and kind heartedness made him popular with customers and the Care Center staff. He was known to be clever, witty, and jovial, with a great sense of humor. Henry was quick to laugh, and oh, what a laugh it was! His children would say he could even be a bit ornery. He was also patient, tolerant without limits, and highly encouraging of his children.

Henry is survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Coreene; his daughters Lana Patton of Sacramento, CA, Elaine Kunze of Wilsonville, and Zena (Tom) Ingles of Lacey, WA; his sons John (Linda) of Monmouth and David of Newberg; grandchildren Aaron, Zachary, Jamie, Chad, Corissa, Amanda, Kendra, Adam and Ariane; nine great grandchildren; two sisters Helene Stanzyk and Patsy Rude, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He will be greatly missed.