LaRell A. Kunz

ErLaRell A. Kunz, 86, of Victor, Idaho passed away from a stroke on April 28, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 7, 1937 to Burton and Leatha (Moffat) Kunz in Victor, Idaho. LaRell was a gifted athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball during his time at Teton High School where he served as student body president and graduated in 1955. He went on to play basketball and baseball at Utah State University and Ricks College. He served in the Swiss Austrian Mission from 1957-1960 speaking German. He married Deanne Whiting of Basalt, ID on September 1, 1960 in the Idaho Falls LDS temple.  They had eight children who they taught to work hard, play hard, and to love the Lord and his gospel.  LaRell was an example of faith in the Lord and loved to share his testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  He made everyone feel special and was a friend to all. He leaves behind an amazing legacy and will be greatly missed. 

LaRell graduated from Utah State University in 1963 in Political Science. He later completed his Master’s degree at Brigham Young University. LaRell dedicated his career to the Church Education System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, starting in 1963. He served in various locations including Richfield, UT; Gallup, NM; Muskogee, OK; Lawrence, KS, and Driggs, ID. LaRell also served in various callings in the church including bishop and stake presidency member. After retirement, he and his wife, Deanne, served as CES missionaries in Leeds, England.

After the death of his beloved Deanne in 2017, he found love again with Karen Hazel whom he married in July of 2020. They enjoyed splitting their time between Teton Valley and St. George UT, going on drives, going to shows at Tuacahn, taking care of their “girls” aka dogs, and going for Razor rides in the mountains.  

He was an avid golfer and won several gold medals in the Senior Olympics in St. George and made five hole-in-ones! He enjoyed hunting, hiking, and four-wheeling in the mountains. He ran a dairy farm and farmed several hundred acres of land in Teton Valley.  

LaRell was preceded in death by his wife Deanne, son Todd, daughter Jodi and great-granddaughter Olive as well as his siblings Linda, Cleon, and Jan. He leaves behind his wife, Karen, and the following children: daughter-in law Karen (Todd) Kunz,  Kory (Suzette) Kunz, Lori (Mike) Bair, Halli (Barry) Craft, Nicole Tanner, son-in law Brandon (Jodi) Bailey, Jared (Karna) Kunz, and Josh (Kasey) Kunz. He was a wonderful grandfather to forty grandchildren–twenty boys and twenty girls–and twenty-four great-grandchildren. (see below) LaRell is also survived by his siblings Farell (Colleen) Kunz and Susan Kunz Martell. 

Todd and Karen Kunz: Brian and Camilla (Bryce, Jace); Brad and Jasmine (Luke); Mark and Maddie; Jenna and Braxton Futrell

Kory and Suzette Kunz: McKenzie and Greg (Ryker, Aiden); Lakyn (Morgan); Austin and Leah (Andy, Stevie, Kelson); Madison and Quinton Lovato; Isaac; Phoebe; Caleb; Chloe

Lori and Mike Bair: Brianna and Selwin Lovell (Ayah, Zion, Jaks); Dakota and Haley; Aspen; Cara

Halli and Barry Craft: Jake and Hali (Nash, Noah, Ozzy); Mekell and Court Iorg (Jane, Molly); Cole and Sarah (Carter); Cade and Caroline (Lyla); Lilly 

Nicole Tanner: Aubrey and David Tenney (Tanner, Olive); Trey and Brooke (Lola, Joey); Hailee and Eric Ord (Miles); Sydni; Tyce

Jodi and Brandon Bailey (Astrid): Connor, Jason, Jack

Jared and Karna Kunz: Katelyn and Braden Radford, Sam, Kaleah, Drew, Karly, Jace 

Josh and Kasey Kunz: Kayla, Shane, Sadie, Mia, John

Services for LaRell will be held with a viewing on May 10 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on May 11 from 9:00-10:45 a.m. at the Driggs Idaho Stake Center, 225 N First St, Driggs, ID, followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. on May 11 at the same location. Interment will be at the Cedron Cemetery.