In Passing

Alice Solch Brown

Alice Solch Brown passed away peacefully at Aegis Vesta House in Chandler on Nov. 22 after a long illness. The daughter of Joseph and Ella (Vodicka) Solch, she was born at home on Aug. 26, 1926, in Cicero, Ill.

Raised during the Great Depression, Alice was frugal but also generous, giving presents to family and friends throughout her life. Before retiring to Sun Lakes in the 1980s with her husband Stan Brown, Alice worked as an inspector in the food and electronics industries. She loved to shop, especially at thrift stores and during sales, and collected plates and ceramics. Alice was a fantastic cook. In keeping with her Czech ancestry, chicken paprikash with bread dumplings was her specialty. Blessed with a flawless memory, a sharp wit, and a great sense of humor, Alice shared reminiscences and a lot of laughs with family and friends, even in her final weeks.

Alice always knew how she wanted things done and did it her way to the end. Until the last couple of months, she was able to stay in her home with the support of her primary caregiver, her niece Gail, as well as her son, friends, and neighbors. The family is also grateful for all of the care that Alice received in her last months from the staff of Savior Hospice, Aegis Vesta House, Willow Springs, and Griswold Home Care.

Alice was loved by many and will be greatly missed by them. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd and Elizabeth Karger, grandsons Christopher and Michael (Courteney) Karger, and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers Joe and Jerry; her sisters Lyn, Val, Vera, and Helen; her husband Stan; and special friend Ralph Schip.

Family and friends will be notified of arrangements for a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Savior Hospice or charity of choice.

Clem Clement

Clem Clement, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away Nov. 5, 2022, after a lengthy illness. He was 87 years old.

The son of L.W. and Hazel Clement, Clem was born in 1935 and raised in the great State of Arkansas, home of the Razorbacks. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas and his master’s degree in engineering from the University of Alabama. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity at the University of Arkansas.

At the age of 21, Clem was commissioned in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Colonel following 26 years of dedicated service to his country. He served in the Vietnam Conflict and all over the world, including Germany, the Kwajalein Missile Range in the South Pacific, and multiple U.S. installations throughout the United States. Some of his medals included the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

A member of Sun Valley Community Church, Clem was a devout Christian and dedicated his life to serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judi; his three sons and daughter-in-law: Larry (wife Rhonda), John, and Steve; five wonderful grandchildren: Stephen, Katy, Joshua, Johnny, and Caroline (he was known as Doodah to them); beloved family members Joe and Stephanie Hancock, Paul Good, and Catherine Clement; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Margaret. His loved ones will remember his courage, his love, his boundless sense of humor, his generosity, and his limitless wisdom. He touched the life of many young people as a baseball coach, football coach, and scoutmaster. He was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver award for his dedication and sacrifice to Boy Scouts. He loved his retired life in Sun Lakes, Ariz., and will be missed by the hundreds of friends he met over his 30 years living there.

Frank Lester Kienow

F

rank Lester Kienow, 84 years old, of Chandler, Ariz., passed away on Nov. 9, 2022. Frank was born in Knox County (Winnetoon), Neb., on April 26, 1938, to Lester and Mildred Watson Kienow. Frank’s working career, after graduation from college in 1961, began at Standard Oil Co. before he began teaching and coaching in 1965. In 1969 Frank moved with his wife Leila and three daughters to Guam to begin teaching at George Washington Junior High before moving on to John F. Kennedy High School the following year to teach and coach football. Frank loved everything about Guam; the people, the food, but mostly his football team (the Green Machine) and the players. One of his proudest achievements was winning three championships. He is known to those players as “Coach,” and they have remained close throughout the years. After leaving Guam at the end of 1975, he took principalships in Nebraska before moving to Arizona. After remarrying in 1987, he and Becky moved to Senegal, Africa, where he was the Headmaster of the International School of Dakar. He also spent time working in a family business in Nebraska. After retiring, Frank spent the rest of his life in Arizona near his family and traveling to far-reaching corners of the world.

Frank is survived by his wife of 35 years, Becky; daughters Leslie Armstrong, Carmen Kienow, and Jill Kienow; and five grandchildren: Cecily Dominguez, Quinton Dominguez, John “Sam” Armstrong V, Frank “Connor” Armstrong, and Will Armstrong.

Frank was a member of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church and an active member of several church committees. A memorial service was held at the church on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life followed directly after the service in Lindsay Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Endowment Fund of Sun Lakes UMC.

Peggy LaVonn Kuntz

Peggy LaVonn Kuntz, 91, of Boise, Idaho, passed away the morning of Friday, Nov. 18. She was surrounded by her husband Richard (Dick) Kuntz, her five children, and her sister LaDonna Hehn.

Peggy was born in Dickinson, N.D., on Sept. 29, 1931, to Sylvia and Frank Burda. She was the youngest of seven children.

She was a homemaker and a school librarian at Franklin and Valley View Elementary Schools in Boise. She was an avid golfer and bridge player. She was also well known in the Bingo room at Morning Star Senior Living.

Peggy and Dick traveled far and wide, including Egypt and Greece and throughout the United States, but her favorite spot was Maui, Hawaii. After retirement, she and Dick split their time between McCall, Idaho, and Sun Lakes, Ariz., where many lifetime friends were made. She loved her time playing golf with the ladies from McCall and Sun Lakes. She was especially proud of her hole-in-one in 1997.

She is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Richard (Dick) Kuntz, daughter Nancy Elliott, son Tom Kuntz and wife Sharon, daughter Cindy Obermeyer and husband Gordon, daughter Patti Beavers and her husband Rob, and son Mike and his wife Kelly Ann. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

A celebration of Peggy’s life will be held in the Spring of 2023.

A thank you goes out to Brandi from Horizon Hospice for her gentle care and kindness to Peggy and her family. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Mike Maier for the many years of compassionate care given to Peggy.

Contributions can be made to Diocese of Boise STVRC – In memory of Peggy Kuntz, 1501 S. Federal Way, Suite #400, Boise, Idaho 83705 (Retired Priest Center).

Barbra (Bobbie) Munter

Our mother Barbra (Bobbie) Munter passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2022, in Sun Lakes, Ariz., surrounded by her family.

Mom grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., where, during her high school years, she was a standout basketball player. Her athleticism included a love for bowling, a passion she shared with our father Bernie. She was talented enough to be a semi-professional bowler, with her career getting derailed by having four children. Mom always put us children first.

In the late 1970s Mom and Dad made a bold decision to leave the East Coast and begin on a new adventure in perpetually sunny and warm Arizona. It was here that Mom rediscovered the outdoors and a new passion; namely, golf. She told us she was a $#!%%^ golfer (her words), but she loved the game and she loved the competition. Mom was always fiercely competitive, whether it was golf, poker, Mah Jongg, or Scrabble. As her fellow card playing “girls” will tell you, winning was important to our mother.

Mom could be stubborn and direct at times, but she was always loving when it came to her four kids, Rob (Sharon), Andy (Julie), Susan (Darrell), and Joel (Sandy); her 11 grandkids; and her 8 great-grandchildren.

Mom was always a rock in our family and supported and loved each and every one of us throughout her 90 years. She touched many people in her lifetime and was caring and thoughtful when it came to others. Her desire was to have a very small family get-together following her cremation. There will not be a service, and Mom’s wish, in lieu of flowers, if you were so moved, was to make a donation to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in her name. Thank you.

Mom, we love you, we will miss you, and we will continue to hold you in our hearts every day.

Rob and Sharon, Andy and Julie, Susan and Darrell, and Joel and Sandy

Jeanette Marie Peter

Jeanette Marie Peter, age 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 4, 2022, in Chandler, Ariz., attended by her husband of nearly 57 years. She was born Jan. 23, 1943, in Midland, Mich., and lived there until she moved to Ann Arbor for work and college and met her future husband. She married Mike in 1965, and they moved around the Midwest pursuing further education until they settled in Binghamton, N.Y., where they lived for the next 40-plus years. Jan was a research project administrator at the State University of New York but had other jobs as well—managing the deli at a local gourmet food store, teaching adult ed classes, serving in several capacities at Broome County Cooperative Extension, and being her husband’s office manager for several years.

She had a son, Stephen, in 1974 whom she and Mike raised until Steve left home to attend college. After retiring, Jan and Mike moved to Sun Lakes in 2018 to be closer to their son and granddaughter Zuri. Sadly, Jan’s golden years were cut short by the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease, which she battled with courage and dignity until she finally succumbed after months of declining health.

She was one of five sisters and one brother and was a good friend to many other people during her life. She had a wonderful laugh and was surrounded by special friends who shared her zest for life. A wonderful cook and avid bridge player for many years, she was a member of many social groups over the years and developed close relationships with several people with whom she remained best friends over several decades. After moving to Arizona, she treasured the time she spent with Zuri and greatly enjoyed the role of grandma. She was a wonderful companion and friend, and she will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved her. She left the world a kinder and better place. She was the center of my life. I will love her always and forever.

Jan donated her body for use in scientific research and for organ transplant use. In her typical way, she gave to others, even in death. In lieu of a ceremony to mark her passing, her loved ones are asked to remember and memorialize her with a donation to Planned Parenthood, the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Velma Ruth Raithel

Velma Ruth Raithel of Chandler, Ariz., passed away on Nov. 6, 2022, at the age of 95. She was born on Jan. 10, 1927, in Brunswick, Mo. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1973. She worked as a registered nurse.

She is preceded in death by her husband Henry Raithel. She is survived by her daughter Karla Slovitsky (Steve); three grandchildren: Kelly Rangel (George), Scott, and Samantha; and six great-grandchildren.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com.

Dolores Shelby

Dolores Ann (Dee) Shelby of Sun Lakes, Ariz., formerly from Champaign, Ill., died on Nov. 30, 2022, in Gilbert, Ariz. She was born in Ivesdale, Ill., to George and Ethel Green and spent her elementary school years at one-room Neagle School. She attended Tolono and Monticello High Schools and the University of Illinois. While in school, she performed in numerous plays and danced in operettas and revues. She met her husband Robert Shelby at the university, and they were married in 1950. He was in the automobile business, Shelby Motors, and they resided in Champaign most of their married life until moving to Sun Lakes in 1978.

She enjoyed doing volunteer work and held offices in many organizations. She belonged to the Jaycettes, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Guild, was a charter member of the Exchangettes, Junior Women’s Club, was a Girl Scout leader, and sang with the Sweet Adelines. She and her husband loved to dance and enjoyed traveling all over the world, dancing to big bands in many foreign countries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Bette Shipley, sister Donna Anderson, brother George, Jr., husband Robert, sons Michael and Edward, and daughter Sherry. Surviving are daughter Lori, son Sean, brother Jim Green, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Services will be private.

Karen Lee Sowney

Karen Lee Sowney, age 79, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Karen was born in Seattle, Wash., to Michael and Elvera Shontz.

Karen graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in elementary education. Karen also served five years on active duty in an administrative capacity. Her assignments took her to Italy where she met her future husband. Karen also served briefly in Germany in a similar capacity. Upon graduation from recruiting school, she served as a recruiter in Oakland/Alameda, Calif. She resigned her commission as a captain in the Army to marry her future husband. In later years, she worked as a technical editorial writer with Datapro Research Corporation for 26 years before retiring in 2003. Karen enjoyed genealogy; reading; bowling; arts and crafts, like sewing, knitting, and quilting; jigsaw puzzles; and watching her grandson’s sports games.

Karen is survived by her loving husband Edward J. Sowney of 52 years, her daughter Robin A. Lynn (Robert), her grandsons Robert E. Lynn and Matthew W. Lynn, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Michael Shontz.

The family would like to give special thanks to Better Living Home for their care and love of Karen during her battle with ALS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Foundation in Karen’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Sowney Family.

Robert (Bob) Eric Strom

With his family by his side, Bob left us on Aug. 27, 2022, at age 90.

Born on April 11, 1932, in Jamaica, N.Y., to Scandinavian immigrants, Bob spent most of his life in New York before retiring to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 1994.

Bob served in the U.S. Army as a corporal during the Korean War. After his discharge, he returned to New York and reacquainted himself with Celeste Lapen, whom he remembered from school. Bob and Celeste married in 1954, and their marriage lasted 68 years until his death.

Bob joined the NYC Fire Department in 1957 and dedicated 20 years of his life to FDNY until his retirement in 1977. He loved the profession.

Bob was also an electrician, a small business owner, and a skilled home craftsman. He could do just about any home design project himself, and he enjoyed helping his children with their home improvement projects.

Bob and Celeste enjoyed traveling together, both throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Bob is survived by his sister Thelma Gourdier; his wife Celeste Strom; his children Lori Davila, Jeff Strom and spouse Terry, and Steven Strom and spouse Denise; his granddaughter Kristen Rodriguez and spouse Johnny; his great-grandchildren Logan and Riley Rodriguez; and his step-grandchildren Shelly McGehee, JR Page, and Troy Derrick Page.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate care of Bob in his final months.

The family recently held a Celebration of Life for Bob at the Sun Lakes Oakwood Country Club.

Bob is forever in our hearts.

DePaul R. Zimmerman

DePaul R. Zimmerman, age 86, of DeForest, Wisc., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. He was born on June 1, 1936, in Canby, Minn., the son of Thomas and Rita (Willette) Zimmerman. His family moved to Blue Earth, Minn., in 1939. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1954. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959 where he served as a Sonarman 3rd Class before being honorably discharged. He then attended Mankato State College until accepting a position with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1962.

He found his passion in sales and quickly advanced his career during his 37-year tenure at the company. He started out as a Retail Sales Manager, transferred to District Sales Manager, and then on to a District Sales & Marketing Manager before he moved into the corporate Akron office in 1995 to help set up their new customer sales and service. In 1989 he received an award for being the Top District Sales Manager in the country. He was very dedicated to his career and was proud of his accomplishments. He retired at the end of 1999 and relocated to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 2001 before later moving to Wisconsin in 2017.

He married Barbara Ballinger in 1963. They had their first daughter, Lori, in 1964 and then Tracey in 1966. Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling, hunting, and fishing, as well as having an avid interest in the theatre and arts.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Rita Zimmerman, brother Darrel Zimmerman and wife Jan, sister Vivian Pfaffinger and husband Otto, son-in-law Thomas Furan, and nephew Jim Zimmerman. He is survived by his daughters Lori Zimmerman and Tracey Furan and his grandson Jacob Furan.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Legacy of DeForest and Agrace Hospicecare for their care and compassion.

A private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Blue Earth. Memorials can be sent directly to your local hospice or Alzheimer’s Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.