William "Bill" Kunz

William Albert Kunz, Jr. was born on March 3, 1939 to William Albert and Myrtle (Rue) Kunz in Sioux Falls, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. He attended Garfield Elementary School in Sioux Falls and then Washington High School in Sioux Falls, later receiving his GED while in the US Navy. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1956 and while serving he was aboard the USS Kearsarge (the ship that recovered the Mercury Capsule which held the first astronauts as they splash landed) and also the USS Ticonderoga. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Bill was married to Keo (Dahme) and had two children, Troy and Trina Kunz. On March 24, 1975, he was united in marriage to Joyce (Schuldt) Dickerson in Pipestone and the two lived in the Sioux Falls following their marriage. Bill worked at the South Dakota Penitentiary as a guard for 31 years. After he and Joyce retired, the couple moved to Pipestone in 2002. On October 31, 2018, Bill entered into the care of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone and on January 31, 2019, he entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. On Saturday, June 8, 2019, he died there at the age of 80 years, three months, and five days.

Bill was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he helped at funerals and also for the Men’s Meatball Suppers. Bill could often be found at coffee with friends at McDonald’s or passing the time shopping at True Value. When the family was on vacation (or anytime Bill needed to distract the kids) he would say, “Did you see that kangaroo over there? Oh, you missed it!” He loved reading books, polka dancing, visiting family, and watching Law and Order, CSI, and Bonanza, all while sitting in his favorite chair.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce of Pipestone; eight children, Alan (Donna) Dickserson of Casper, Wyoming, Cindy Dickerson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cristy (Mike) Appel of Pipestone, Troy (Joyce) Kunz of Anacortus, Washington, Scott Dickerson of Coarsegold, California, Trina (Kunz) (James Kropenske) Kunz of Mitchell, South Dakota, Dean (Karen) Dickerson of Casper, Wyoming, and Trina (Dickerson) (Tom Kirkvold) of Des Moines, Iowa; twelve grandchildren, Andy (Tiffany), Erin (Dan), Bryan (Felicia), Jonathan (Holly), John, Joshua (Abby), Matt, Stacy (Mindy), Jackie (Ryan), Christian, Bryce (Jessica) and Austin; and 17 great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Finley, Elizabeth, Grant, Logan, Mason, Savannah, Sierra, Alora, Daniel, Dominique, Abby, Ashton, Alexia, Breklyn, Sherwood, and Theodore. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Kelly Dickerson; one daughter, Melissa Hammer; three sisters, Darlene Pitchford, Phyllis Aahberg, and Mary Farmer; and one brother, Donald Kunz.