Harold Kunze

Harold Emil Kunze was born on 31 January 1939 at the Crane Maternity Home in Provo, Utah. He was the first born to Emil George “Dutch” Kunze and Donna Ann Hiatt Kunze. He passed away on 12 January 2025 after a long illness, surrounded by his family.

Harold was born just as World War II started, and one of his earliest memories is listening to all the car horns honking in his neighborhood and finding out the war he didn’t know anything about was over. He spent his childhood and youth in Springville, Utah, trying and sometimes succeeding in keeping himself and his three younger brothers and one younger sister out of trouble. 

When he was eight or nine years old, Harold gathered up all his money, mostly coins, and went to Duke’s Jewelry in downtown Springville to buy his Mom something pretty for Mother’s Day. He pointed to a bracelet of glass beads and the store clerk disappeared for a few minutes. When she returned, the clerk wrapped the bracelet in a pretty box for Harold. He found out years later that the clerk had called his mother and she agreed to pay the difference so Harold could get the bracelet. Donna Kunze wore that bracelet every Sunday and on special occasions for many years.

As a sixth grade student, Harold fell in love with the trombone and played first chair in the school band. His children and grandchildren would never see his musical talent, but they did know about Grandpa Kunze’s football prowess. He played football at Springville High School and earned a scholarship to both Dixie College and Snow College where he was known as a bruiser who wasn’t afraid to take or give a hard hit. After his mission, Harold finished his degree in business at Brigham Young University.

Harold served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New England from February 1963 to February 1965 as a 24-year-old. He had many experiences as a missionary that set his testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel in stone. Harold has been a consistent, shining example of exercising faith in real life through ministering and service. He served a mission later in life in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, as well as being an ordinance worker in the Mount Timpanogos Temple for many years.

Harold met his sweetheart of 59 years, Denise Searle, when she was working at the Provo Police Department and he came in to pay for a ticket. Harold and Denise were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 2 December 1965. They have four children together; Harold Emil Jr, Kyle Searle, Dena, and Brian Nielsen. Harold and Denise made their home in American Fork, Utah.. They loved to go camping, fishing, and hunting together with their children. 

In addition to his remarkable work ethic, Harold taught his children to love the outdoors and cheap steak. He took his sons hunting every year, creating family bonds and endless stories to tell their children and grandchildren. Harold would take his only daughter, Dena, on special dates, too. When he became a grandpa, he never missed an opportunity to set a grandchild on his shoulders and go for a walk. He engineered dirt sleds and hooked them to four-wheelers to give grandkids rides in the desert. Harold had all the love, patience and genuine interest in each of his grandchildren, and he made sure they had the most fun they could have.

Before he started his career as a computer programmer, Harold worked at Geneva Steel in Vineyard, Utah. The family spent a few years in St. Louis, Missouri soon after Harold and Denise were married. Then Harold went to work at the Tooele Army Depot, followed by the Bureau of Reclamation as the Computer Branch Chief. Harold didn’t stop working after retiring from the Bureau, he went back to Geneva Steel for a few more years. 

Harold loved to collect beautiful and interesting rocks on his hunts and hikes in the mountains. He arranged his collection in their large backyard on 100 East in American Fork. Denise and Harold hosted many family dinners and parties over the years, and Harold always asked his sons to move rocks from one side of the yard to the other. 

Harold Kunze was known for being a tough, hard-working man of few words, but he had the softest heart for the people he loved. 

Harold is preceded in death by his parents; Emil and Donna Kunze, two brothers; Douglas and Dan, and daughter-in-law Debra Ann Christensen Kunze. Harold is survived by his wife Denise, his children; Harold Emil Jr (Debbie 1970-2018), Kyle Searle (Diana), Dena Diamond (Darin), and Brian Nielsen (Nicole), 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren with two more on the way, his brother Wayne Kunze (Paula) and his sister Marianne Kunze Biesinger (James).

Funeral services for Harold Emil Kunze will be on Tuesday, 21 January, at 11am at the LDS Church building at 1305 North 100 East, American Fork, Utah 84003. A viewing will be at the same building from 9:30-10:45am before the services.