1971
Darren
2011
Darren Kunz
January 24, 1971 — December 17, 2011
Darren Kunz, age 40, of Fergus Falls, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2011 under the care of Lakeland Hospice at Sheridan House, Fergus Falls, after nearly a year long battle with cancer.
Darren Andrew Kunz was born January 24, 1971, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Peter and Jean (Moore) Kunz. Darren attended school in Fergus Falls and was in the class of 1989. Darren was an avid ball player, and was especially active in football, baseball, and wrestling in high school. He went on to Alexandria Technical College, graduating with top honors from the Law Enforcement Program in 1997.
After school, Darren worked part time for the Pelican Rapids Police Department and later the Fergus Falls Police Department. A short time later, Darren went to work for the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department full time. Darren was instrumental in bringing in the departments first narcotics-only canine, closing several cases and winning numerous awards. He also served on the SWAT team, and was often seen within the classroom and community giving presentations. He had a passion and a love for law enforcement.
On April 8, 2009 Darren became the proud father of Bristol Elizabeth Kunz. She was his pride and joy. He loved her so.
On March 11, 2011, Darren married Beth Lynn Hilbrand.
Darren had an amazing sense of humor and a quick wit both in his personal life and with those he worked with. Darren was extremely talented and loved to learn: he taught himself to play piano and guitar and had even learned computer programming. Sports were a huge passion, playing men's, co-ed, and AA softball. Many witnessed Darren's unforgettable one-man triple plays. He also coached youth baseball and could often be found assisting in wrestling practices over the years. Darren enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Wild.
Darren is survived by his wife, Beth of Fergus Falls; daughter, Bristol Elizabeth; step-daughters, Nichelle and Chelsea of Fergus Falls; step-son, Nathan of Fergus Falls; parents, Peter and Jean Kunz of Fergus Falls; two sisters, Sharon (Mike) Casey of Fergus Falls, and Sondra Kunz of Glendale, AZ; a brother, Dan Kunz of Pine City, MN; mother-in-law, Debra Thompson of Hancock, MN; brother-in-law, Joel Leuthard of Hancock, MN; sister-in-law, Hope (Jeff) Klein of Hancock; his beloved dog, Nijka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Cecil and June Moore; paternal grandparents, Leslie and Bernice Kunz; sister-in-law Sunshine Leuthard, brother-in-law Isaac Leuthard, several uncles and a cousin.
Visitation: 4 – 7 PM, Wednesday, December 21, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 7 PM. Also one hour prior to services at church.
Funeral Service: 1 PM Thursday, December 22, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Officiating: Rev. Ed Monson
Online Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.
Darren Andrew Kunz was born January 24, 1971, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Peter and Jean (Moore) Kunz. Darren attended school in Fergus Falls and was in the class of 1989. Darren was an avid ball player, and was especially active in football, baseball, and wrestling in high school. He went on to Alexandria Technical College, graduating with top honors from the Law Enforcement Program in 1997.
After school, Darren worked part time for the Pelican Rapids Police Department and later the Fergus Falls Police Department. A short time later, Darren went to work for the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department full time. Darren was instrumental in bringing in the departments first narcotics-only canine, closing several cases and winning numerous awards. He also served on the SWAT team, and was often seen within the classroom and community giving presentations. He had a passion and a love for law enforcement.
On April 8, 2009 Darren became the proud father of Bristol Elizabeth Kunz. She was his pride and joy. He loved her so.
On March 11, 2011, Darren married Beth Lynn Hilbrand.
Darren had an amazing sense of humor and a quick wit both in his personal life and with those he worked with. Darren was extremely talented and loved to learn: he taught himself to play piano and guitar and had even learned computer programming. Sports were a huge passion, playing men's, co-ed, and AA softball. Many witnessed Darren's unforgettable one-man triple plays. He also coached youth baseball and could often be found assisting in wrestling practices over the years. Darren enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Wild.
Darren is survived by his wife, Beth of Fergus Falls; daughter, Bristol Elizabeth; step-daughters, Nichelle and Chelsea of Fergus Falls; step-son, Nathan of Fergus Falls; parents, Peter and Jean Kunz of Fergus Falls; two sisters, Sharon (Mike) Casey of Fergus Falls, and Sondra Kunz of Glendale, AZ; a brother, Dan Kunz of Pine City, MN; mother-in-law, Debra Thompson of Hancock, MN; brother-in-law, Joel Leuthard of Hancock, MN; sister-in-law, Hope (Jeff) Klein of Hancock; his beloved dog, Nijka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Cecil and June Moore; paternal grandparents, Leslie and Bernice Kunz; sister-in-law Sunshine Leuthard, brother-in-law Isaac Leuthard, several uncles and a cousin.
Visitation: 4 – 7 PM, Wednesday, December 21, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 7 PM. Also one hour prior to services at church.
Funeral Service: 1 PM Thursday, December 22, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Officiating: Rev. Ed Monson
Online Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.
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