Karen Kay Kuntz

Karen Kay Kuntz, affectionately known by her loved ones as KK, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Elsberry Healthcare Center. She was born on May 4, 1963, at the Lincoln County Hospital in Troy, Missouri. She gave her parents, Alfred and Dorothy Kuntz, a challenging first year; as she was born a “preemie”, three months early. She had the honor to initiate the first isolate at the hospital, the newly acquired equipment had to be unboxed and plugged in for her arrival. Karen attended Silex R-1 Schools for her entire elementary and secondary education career and was class Valedictorian. She went on to Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State university) and earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Karen was fortunate to earn her living doing taxes for three corporations – Contel Telephone Company for 6 years, AT&T for 6 years, Monsanto Company for 12 years, and then back to AT&T for 6 years to finish her career. She was a CPA and learned her love for doing taxes from her mom. She was a longtime member of Troy Chapter #405 Order of Eastern Star, serving many years as secretary for Silex Chapter #80 before it merged. She was also the secretary for Oak Grove Cemetery for the past several years. Karen is survived by her brothers, Eddie (Marian) Kuntz of Eolia and JB (Brenda) Kuntz of Eolia. She is also survived by two nephews and a niece, Aaron (Christy) Kuntz of Eolia, Jamie (Grant) Gollaher of Frankford, and Rob (Jacqueline) Kuntz of Kirksville, and two great-nephews and three great-nieces, Scott Kuntz, Tyler Kuntz, Kaitlyn Kuntz, Rileigh Kuntz, all of Eolia, and Carly Gollaher of Frankford. Karen enjoyed traveling to locations across the United States including San Francisco, Wisconsin, Yellowstone, and the International Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Another favorite was spending a week “cruising” the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, through her work she spent many a week in Atlanta, Georgia and San Antonio, Texas and was fortunate to even get to travel to Italy. However, by far, her favorite place to be was at home on the farm. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bufford and her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kuntz. Graveside services were held at Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pallbearers were family members Aaron, Rob, Scott, Tyler, Eddie, and JB Kuntz. Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oak Grove Cemetery in care of Bibb-Veach Funeral Home.

Karen Kay Kuntz

May 4, 1963 - May 20, 2024