JOHN GUTENKUNST

March 30, 1926 - April 24, 2009

Devoted husband and father, a man of integrity who loved his family and cherished his friends went to be with his Lord on Friday, April 24, 2009, at age 83. He was a resident of Green Valley for over 20 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by Carol, his wife of 59 years; three daughters and sons-in-law Gaye and Bob Kozel, Jill and Mark Ecker and Holly and Gary Friedman; granddaughters Carly and Mary Kozel, Nicole and Kimberly Ecker; and grandsons Jonathan Logan and Benjamin Friedman. He is also survived by his sister Helen Campbell and nieces and nephews.

He was born in Lefor, N.D., graduated from the University of North Dakota and one day later married Carol Louise Richter in 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, serving mainly in the South Pacific.

He spent 31 years with Montgomery Ward and retired as National Merchandise Manager - Home Improvements in 1981. He then spent nine years as an Investment Executive before moving permanently to Green Valley in 1989 from Mt. Prospect, Ill.

He was a member of the Green Valley Elks Lodge 2592 and served on the Finance Committee of Valley Presbyterian Church.

There will be a memorial service on May 9 at 11 a.m. at the Valley Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Valley Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or the American Heart Association.