Eugene Kuntz, age 79 of Elgin, ND passed away from Lewy Body Dementia on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Mott, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott. Fr. Stephen Folorunso and Fr. Dennis Schafer will officiate with burial at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in New Leipzig, ND.

Visitation will be on Monday from 1-5:30 pm with a Rosary and Wake Service at 5:30 pm all at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott.

Serving as casketbearers are his grandsons, Steven, David, Theo, Matthew, Justin, Andrew, and Jacob. All of Eugene's granddaughters and great-grandchildren are considered honorary bearers.

EUGENE M. KUNTZ was born on December 27, 1937 to Matthias and Barbara (Messer) Kuntz in Glen Ullin, ND. He grew up on a farm south of Hebron. He attended country grade school, went to high school at New England St. Mary's for 3 years, and graduated in 1955 from the Assumption Abbey in Richardton. Eugene attended Dickinson Teachers College and graduated from the teachers college in Valley City, ND with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

Eugene was united in marriage to Mary Beth Rohr on August 30, 1960 in Regent, ND. Five children were born to this union, Duane, Genia, Todd Michael, Gail and Barbi.

Eugene's first jobs included teaching country school and selling Knights of Columbus insurance, but his true vocation and passion was farming. He farmed with his dad and was in a partnership with his brothers before he and Betsy purchased the Rieger farm north of Elgin in 1968. There he spent the next 49 years of his life and was grateful to see his son take over the family farm. On the farm, he was seen as a man of commitment and sacrifice – to his faith, his family, and his work.

Growing up, Sunday afternoons were filled with baseball games. The neighbors would come over to the farm and there were enough players to form two teams. Eugene loved the game so much he taught himself to bat left handed in order to have an edge against the other team. He even played baseball on his college team. Throughout his life, Eugene was very competitive and could be found in the middle of any competition from foot races to card games to ping pong to bowling. Because he was a night owl, his family could wake up at any time of the night to find him playing solitaire, solving the rubics cube or improving his pac man skills. He was a strategic competitor and once he started something he had a hard time quitting. As an avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete in their varied sports.

Eugene served on the Southwest Grain Board, the Dakota Resource Council, St. John's Parish Council, and was involved in the bible study group. He was a humble man of faith, who was generous with his gifts, giving to numerous charities.

Eugene is survived by his wife Mary Beth, Mott, ND; children Duane (Cynthia) Kuntz, Elgin, ND; Genia (Bruce) Kasper, Bismarck, ND; Gail (Francis) Sommerfeld, Sioux Falls, SD; Barbi (Robb) Narum, Bowman, ND; 11 grandchildren Steven Kuntz, Michelle Kuntz, Sarah (Jacob) Haskett, David Kuntz, Cristie (Justin) Dockter, Theo (Crystal) Stoller, Katie Kasper, Matthew (Shelly) Sommerfeld, Emily Sommerfeld, Lindsey Narum, Andrew Narum; 9 great-grandchildren Haley, Jaden, Brooklyn, Easton, Aubriee, Archer, Tayvin, Thatcher, Kinlee; 2 brothers Patrick (Paulette) Kuntz, Bismarck, ND; Jerry (Bonnie) Kuntz, Hebron, ND, sister Sharon (Bruce) Walth, Bismarck, ND; sister-in-law Sally Kuntz, Bismarck, ND, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Todd Michael, grandson Michael, and brother Almore.

A Memorial has been established to the Renovation Project at St. John's Catholic Church in New Leipzig.