Claude Kunstleben

Claude F. Kunstleben, age 82, of New Munich, died suddenly on Friday, June 2, 2006 at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Joseph's Men's Society and Catholic Aid Society will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Monday evening.

Claude Kunstleben was born July 15, 1923 in Farming Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary (Holthaus) Kunstleben. He married Agatha Statz on June 21, 1950 at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond. Claude and Agatha farmed six miles south of Albany for 54 years until 1987 when they retired and moved to New Munich. The couple sold the family farm to their son, Jeffrey and his wife, Laura. Claude was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Farming and a current member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. He was a member of St. Joseph's Men's Society and Immaculate Conception Catholic Aid Society in New Munich. He was also a member of the National Farmer Organization. Claude enjoyed auctions, summer parades, bazaars, going out to eat at set locations at area restaurants, and helping his son, Jeff on the family farm. He also enjoyed his grandchildren and reciting numerous poems. Claude's favorite TV shows were The Lawrence Welk Show, Andy Griffin, Bonanza, Sanford and Son, and watching the news.

Survivors include his wife, Agatha Kunstleben of New Munich; children, Diane Hoppe and her husband, Gerald of St. Cloud, Mary Hoppe of Melrose, Annette Roering and her husband, Arnold Jr. of New Munich, Jane Niehoff and her husband, Loren of Melrose, Jeffrey Kunstleben and his wife, Laura of Albany, Elaine Funk and her husband, Francis of Sauk Centre, Richard "Rick" Kunstleben and his wife, Carol of Rockville, and Angela Moscho and her husband, Ralph of St. Cloud; 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Holthaus) Kunstleben; sisters, Eleanor Fuchs and Anna Schlangen; son-in-law, Alvin Hoppe; and infant twin granddaughter, Mary Ellen Kunstleben.

Casket bearers will be Dalton Kunstleben, Paul Kunstleben, Neil Hoppe, Andy Roering, Jason Hoppe, Brandon Moscho, Alex Roering, Mark Niehoff, Kurt Niehoff, and Danelle Funk. Serving as cross bearer will be William Funk. Mass servers will be Emily and Annie Kunstleben. Gift bearers will be Shannon Moscho, Colleen Hoppe, and Sally Nathe. Readers will be Jodi Ahlberg, Kaitlyn Funk and Micala Funk. Honorary bearers will be Linus Kalthoff, LeRoy Kulzer, Ronnie Dufner, Odillo Hoppe, Leander Winkels, George Funk, Jessie LeClaire, Otto Thelen, Roman Bushmann, Bud Jonas, Tony Hanneken, Melvin Poepping, Jerome Lemm, Dennis Shay, Ted Bruemmer, Elmer Arceneau, Joe Poepping, Rich Hoppe, Ray Mayer, and Harold Klaphake.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.