Eva J. Kuntz

Eva Schela Kuntz Eva Kuntz age 100, of New Ulm, formerly of the Le Sueur area died on Monday, January 3, at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Satruday, January 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Le Sueur with Fr. George Grafsky officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the Mass at church from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Sueur, MN. Eva Schela was born October 27th, 1910 in Devils Lake, North Dakota. She was delivered at home with the help of her mother's mother (Josephine). She was born to John and Theresa (Burckhard) Schela, the 2nd child of eight children. She was named after her mother's sister, Aunt Eva. She grew up on the west side of Devil's Lake which was a German community that they called the "settlement". Many of the migrants were from Germany and Russia. John arrived in America from Russia at the age of 20 and her mother Teresa came from Germany with her family at about the age of 8. Eva's first home was on West 10th street. At the age of 8 or 9 the family moved across the alley to 211 West 10th Street. Eva's father bought a grocery store where she spent a lot of time working and helping out. Later, a new store was built with living quarters upstairs which included a bedroom and a kitchen. Eva would work many times in the evenings; she would have friends over and they would sit on the front "stoop" of the store. When customers came in she would wait on them. When she was 18 years old she stared working for the new Montgomery Ward as a clerk. She thought she got the job because she could speak English and German and could help all the Germans from the settlement that could not speak fluent English. She worked at Montgomery Ward for 4 years. Eva made twenty eight cents an hour, which equaled out to $11.00 dollars per week. Of this amount she was able to keep one dollar and the rest was given to her parents, very typical in those days. Eva was united in marriage to Alex Kuntz on Monday, May 12, 1930 in Devil's Lake. They were married at St Joseph's Catholic Church. They honeymooned in Minot, North Dakota, 100 miles away. The only other time she had been out of Devil's Lake was to Grand Forks where she bought her wedding dress. Alex worked as a baker, and the two of them lived in Devil's Lake, ND. They moved a few times, finally ending up in Sebeka, MN, where they owned and operated their own bakery for the next 32 years. In 1974 Alex and Eva retired, sold the bakery, and moved to LeSueur, MN. There they bought a home on Central Street where they lived for years until the passing of her dear husband. Eva then moved to Sunrise Plaza where she stayed until January of 2004 when she moved to Oak Hills Assisted Living Center in New Ulm, MN. Throughout life Eva enjoyed many things including being a member of the Catholic Foresters, Christian Mother's Society, and being the President of the Women's group for the Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Menahga. Along with this, she also enjoyed being a part of the church choir. In LeSueur Eva gave much of her time helping others where she participated in quilting, clipping coupons, etc. She also brought smiles to faces when she played in The Over 60 Kettle Band. In her spare time she loved to play bingo and spend time with her family. Eva took much pride in her family and was always kind and considerate to everyone she met. She enjoyed visiting with relatives and friends, and meeting new people. Eva was a wonderful person with a heart for helping. Eva is survived by her children, Dalores Kern of Ramsey, MN, Marlene (Myron) Bertrang of Le Sueur, MN, Donald (Mary) Kuntz of Glenwood, MN, Robert (Mary) Kuntz of Burnsville, MN, Kathy (Eugene) Wellmann of Hanska, MN, 23 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, 20 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters and brother in-law, Lorraine (Ray) Metzger of Byron, and Elizabeth Sweeney of Devil's Lake, North Dakota, sister in-law Katherine Walker of Maddock, ND, sister in-law Steffenna (Bill) Ryan of Harvey, ND, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Eva was preceded in death by her husband Alex and daughter Mary Kuntz. Her Parents John and Teresa Schela, Sister and husband Kay and Jack Hanson, Brothers and wives John and Evelyn Schela, Frank and Billie Schela, brother George Schela, Mike Schela and Son in-law Ken Kern.