Stanley Kuntz

Funeral Mass for Stanley Kuntz, 97, of Belfield will be 10:30 am Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield with Father Shane Campbell celebrating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation for Stanley will be 5:00 – 6:00 pm Friday, March 8, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a Rosary and Vigil taking place at 6:00 pm.

Stanley passed very peacefully on January 15, 2024 surrounded by extraordinary caregivers and Tillie, his bride of 72 years and the person he loved most in life.

Born on July 31, 1926 to Nick and Frances (Wock) Kuntz, Stanley and his 14 siblings (John, Bridget Obrigewitsch, Minnie Froehlich, Rose Hecker, Mike, Ralph, Madge Stefanatz, Pauline, George, Reinhold-Sam, Veronica Gayda, Acqulinus Sebastian, Adaline Hushka, and Tony) were raised on a farm northwest of South Heart. He attended school through eighth grade at a country school near the farm.

He and Tillie Fisher were married in 1951 and settled on a farm south of Belfield. There, for the past 71 years they reared and nurtured 11 children, grew small grains, raised pork, operated a fall and winter meat shop, and milked dairy cows. His homemade sausage recipe is still a favorite recipe of neighbors and family members.

Stanley had an extraordinary work ethic, a “determined” approach to life and a deeply communal spirit. He enjoyed the simple things in life -- especially Tillie’s delicious, home-cooked meals. He consistently read each page of the Billings County Pioneer, Dickinson Press, and Bismarck Tribute. He loved Belfield, his local community, and St. Bernard’s Church, the local Catholic Church. He served multiple terms as a school board member, church board member, Knights of Columbus, county soil boards, and worked to enhance St. Bernard’s cemetery. He and Tillie said the rosary every night together and their 11 children believe they have all been positively impacted by their mom and dad’s daily prayers.

Tillie confirms Stanley’s greatest pride was the extraordinary success of their 11 children: Dan-Bismarck (Mary), Joan Cave-Great Falls (Tom), Ray-Helena (Susie), Joyce Stewart-Seattle, Pat-Reno, Bill (Shelly)-Bismarck, Larry-Helena (Jamie), Ted-Reno, Janel Keating-Hambly-Seattle (Jay), Roy-Kirkland (Diana), and Wally-Moville, IA (Pam).

His greatest life joy was creating memorable farm experiences for his 18 grandchildren when they came to visit. He hitched his team of horses for hay/sleigh rides, helped grandkids feed baby calves, chase chickens until a rooster chased them, gather eggs, try to catch baby pigs, ride horses, milk cows, and eat unwashed watermelons and carrots from Grandma’s large garden.

His greatest life sorrow was when his son Bill died suddenly at age 44 from a heart attack while the two of them were working the wheat fields near the farm. Stanley always held a special place in his heart for Shelly, Bill’s widow, and young children, Chris and Jennifer.    

Stanley’s final hope in life was to stay on his farm until taken to heaven to be reunited with Bill, his son. The family thanks the kind caregivers and many neighbors who helped make that hope a reality. Thank you also to Father Campbell and the many friends and relatives who made time to stop and have a cup of coffee with him.

Stanley is preceded in death by Bill, his son; Bill Stewart, his son-in-law; and 13 of his siblings. He felt fortunate to still have his loving baby sister, Adaline Hushka, as well as his sister-in-law, Gail Kuntz.

Herman Melville wrote “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.” Stanley’s life touched, connected, and enriched his family and his community. He will live on in the examples he set, the good deeds he performed, the work ethic and persistence he modeled during difficult times, and the laughter he sparked.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Bernard’s Cemetery Fund, 402 3rd Ave NE, Belfield, ND or Carroll College Facilities Building Fund, 1601 N Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625.