Josephine M. 'Jo' Kuntz — Rochester

The funeral Mass for Josephine M. "Jo" Kuntz will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Meyer and the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be in St. Bridget's Cemetery in Simpson.

Mrs. Kuntz, 94, a life-long Rochester area resident, died Monday, March 5, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nev., after suffering from a short illness.

She was born Josephine Mary Butlin on Feb. 23, 1918, at Fugles Mill near Simpson, to Elton J. and Kathleen (Chase) Butlin. On April 15, 1939, she married Edgar J. "Ed" Kuntz at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Mr. Kuntz was an electrical contractor. He passed away May 28, 1997.

In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Kuntz was a cosmetologist and operated a beauty shop in her home until she retired in 1986. She was an avid Minnesota Twins, NASCAR and rodeo fan and enjoyed antiques, crocheting and ceramics. She wrote and published a book about her life. Jo was a long-time member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and its St. Gertrude Rosary Society and also belonged to Roc 8 Square Dance Club and Serra Club of Rochester.

She is survived by three daughters and three sons, Kay Diane (Bob) Drewlo, JoAnn Kuntz and Teri Marie Narveson, all of North Las Vegas, Nev., Edgar "Chuck" (Alice) Kuntz of Tampa, Fla., John J. (Karen) Kuntz and Michael A. (Sheri) Kuntz, both of Rochester; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive. Also surviving are two brothers, J. Ross (Regina) Butlin of Oceanside, Calif., and Elton L. (Ann) Butlin of Rochester.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers, a son-in-law, Gary Narveson and a grandson, Justin Kuntz.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, at River Park Chapel of Macken Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. Friday for friends and family. There will be no visitation at the church on Saturday. Lunch will follow immediately after the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Endowment Fund or Brighter Tomorrows, Inc., P.O. Box 126, Rochester, MN. 55903 ( www.brightertomorrowshope.org ) in memory of Justin Kuntz.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .