Grandpa Kunz passed away on June 2nd. What a wonderful week it has been reflecting on his life and all the many things he taught his family. Grandpa lived his life to the fullest, and I'm sure he left this life without any regrets. Grandpa had been sick for a while so it was bittersweet to see him go. I know that he is so happy where he is, but I definitely will miss him A LOT. Here are some random memories of Grandpa Kunz.
When I was little I would sit on Grandpa's lap and he would say, "Guess what?" I of course would say, "What?" even though I knew exactly what he would say! Then Grandpa would answer, "I love you!" I definitely knew I was loved!
We have pictures of me sleeping with Grandpa in his chair.
Whenever Grandma and Grandpa would water their lawn with the sprinkler pipes, we would go and run through the sprinklers!
If you sat on Grandpa's chair at Sunday dinner he would threaten to pierce your ears!
Grandpa always had a project going...I remember all his journeys with the horses.
Trips to Heise...messing around with Jake : )
St George was always a welcome vacation! Grandma and Grandpa would go golfing, rock hunting, you name it, they probably did it!
Walking into the house and seeing Grandpa studying for his priesthood lessons. He always had a doctrinal question for Dad.
How tender he treated all of his family...he truly loved each and every one of us!
Cheetos, Twinkies, and Pepsi
Cleaning up Pepsi all around his chair...towel after towel!
Songs...lots and lots of singing
He could always tell a good story...just when it was needed!
Grandpa would go on his hands and knees and Jake would run back and forth across the living room...jumping over grandpa
Grandma and Grandpa would support us in all our activities and concerts...they were always there.
Sunday dinners at Grandma and Grandpa Kunz's were always full of laughter and fun. How lucky I am to have the aunts, uncles, and cousins that I do!
A firm grip...Grandpa knew how to shake a hand.
Grandpa would always tell it like it is. In the last tender weeks with Grandpa, I sat up on his bed with him and told him who I was. He looked at me and smiled, then said, "Oh, Heidi...we like Heidi." I was so glad he could say that!
I never left their house without being told multiple times that I was loved....they were my pick-me-up in a house!
While in Las Vegas, I called Grandma and Grandpa every few weeks. They never talked long, but they always cared enough to listen and relay their love.
Riding our sleds behind the old snowmachine at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Grandma and Grandpa would always sit on the cement pad behind their house with their Pepsi cans and watch us kids play ball or ride around and around on the old tractor.
Picking raspberries
Radishes...Mom always planted them in our garden and I always wondered why because none of us liked them...none of us except Grandpa Kunz!
Onions. Grandpa reminded me of the book "Holes." I really think those onions got him through the cold winter (He didn't want to be buried in the cold).
Grandma and Grandpa joined us on several of our trips to Island Park. They were always eager to join us, and did everything they could to make it enjoyable for us! They didn't ever want to go on the rides, they were just as happy to shuttle.
Grandpa had a special gift with little kids...he could always get them to play with him!
Horses. The horses that came from Grandma and Grandpa Kunz's house are prized possessions in our home. He could fix those broken legs in a matter of minutes!
Pigeons in the shed...
Grandma and Grandpa would spend hours and hours setting up the Christmas village scene just to take it down a month later. I got to help with the setting up, and Grandpa laughed at us the whole time! I can't believe that they did that each and every year! Talk about tedious work...
Horseradish and green olives
Thursdays in the Temple...Chelsea and I went to do Baptisms while Grandpa was working and he was so proud!
We have been so lucky to have Grandpa around for six years that we never dreamed we would have him for...he taught us much in those last years of his life. He will forever be remembered, and boy, I never ever want to let him down!
