Date of Birth: December 27, 1943
Date of Death: January 3, 2024
Pius Kuntz of the Grayson district, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at the age of 80 years.
Pius was born to Mathias and Veronica (nee Stradeski) Kuntz on Dec. 27, 1943, on the family farm south of Grayson, Sask., the ninth of ten children. He grew up on the farm, attending Columbia School in Grayson until Grade 7. He then moved to Melville, where he graduated from St. Henry’s school in 1962, and later began working at the Royal Bank in Wapella.
That same year, he met Gladys (nee Little) at a dance at Bird’s Point, where he couldn’t persuade her to leave her date. But he did manage to win her over, and they got married in Broadview in 1964. They were blessed with four daughters: Sandra (Gerard), Gerry (Kelly), Kim (Craig) and Chris (Jono), and five grandchildren: Mitchell, Richelle, Jacob, Claire and Maybellene. Pius also had a close relationship with his extended family, especially his nephews.
Pius came back to the farm to help his brother and loved it so much that he started his own, where he continued to farm for 60 years. He was a big fan of anything John Deere and had a passion for electronics. Pius loved to tinker and try to fix things – whether they could actually be fixed or not. Sports were another favourite pastime, and he loved cheering on his Edmonton Oilers and getting frustrated at the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also loved music and could often be found whistling while he worked or singing a variety of songs.
Pius and Gladys enjoyed travelling, whether it was family camping trips when their girls were young or spending their winters in Texas after Gladys retired from teaching. Pius loved the heat and couldn’t wait to spend time at his cabin at Crooked Lake in the summer. Always full of life and looking for new challenges, he took up kayaking at the age of 78 and loved to rip around on the jet ski, even though he never learned how to swim. Woodworking was another hobby Pius adopted later in life, and he enjoyed making keepsakes for his family.
Though his family loved to tease him about being frugal, Pius was very generous with those he loved and was always willing to help when needed. He was young at heart until the day he died and often joked that he never felt old. He was loved for his sense of humour and passion for life and will be greatly missed by those who were lucky to know him.
Pius was predeceased by his parents, Mathias and Veronica Kuntz, his brothers, Anton, Clemence, Philip and Benedict, and his sisters, Elizabeth, Karolina and Agatha. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gladys, children Sandra, Geraldine, Kimberly and Christina, and grandchildren Mitchell, Richelle, Jacob, Claire and Maybellene; sisters Ammorina and Mary and their families; and many friends and neighbours.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Pius on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Grayson, with the Rev. Fr. John Mock celebrating.
Interment took place at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Grayson.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
