Kenneth Lee Kuntze, 77, passed away Friday, March 18, 2011, at his home in Jackson.

Born May 18, 1933, near Tilsit, to Alvin and Thekla Lange Kuntze, he attended Tilsit schools and grew up working on the family farm.

He and Ella Mae Sides were married April 18, 1954.

Kenneth was a lifelong farmer and previously worked at Ceramo, Cape-Kil Pest Control, Superior Electric and Larry Kuntze Excavating.

He attended Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. He was an ordained deacon, a former Sunday school teacher and was involved in various outreach ministries.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Ella Mae of Jackson; a daughter, Brenda Kuntze of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Darrell (Karen) Kuntze of Jackson, Rodney Kuntze of Gordonville; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah) Kuntze, Megan, Jessica and Jordan Kuntze, and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Camryn Kuntze; two brothers, Larry (Loretta) Kuntze of Jackson, Gerald (Pat) Kuntze of Farmington, Mo.; and eight sisters, Mabel Phillips of Manchester, Tenn., Marian Aufdenberg of Jackson, Laverne Calvert of Alpharetta, Ga., Verla Davidson of Denver, Janice (Ken) Cheney of Athens, Ga., Karen (Noel) Scott of Laddonia, Mo., Karla Kuntze of Manchester, Mo., Bonnie (Don) Wynn of Overland Park, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nancy Krauss; and an infant sister.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Pringle officiating.

Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.