Obit: Kunick, Thelma H. #2 (1921 - 2007)

Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Avilez, Bauer, Beawer, Bedroske, Clark, Kunick, Ludwig, Penning, Roberts, Schauss, Schlais, Sonju, Viergutz, Willner

----Sources: The Tribune-Phonograph, (Abbotsford, Wis., Clark Co., WI), 24 October, 2007, (Online Edition)

Kunick, Thelma H. (Schauss) (09 Jun 1921 - 16 Oct 2007)

Thelma H. (Schauss) Kunick

Thelma H. Kunick, 86, Colby, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at the Colonial Center Nursing Home in Colby, Wis.

Thelma was born in Colby to Marie (Beawer) Schauss and Henry Schauss on June 9, 1921. Thelma attended Zion Lutheran Grade school, and graduated from Colby, Wis. High School. Thelma relocated to Milwaukee, living with her Aunt Frieda, where she began working for Cutler-Hammer as a plastic molder of war related parts.

Thelma joined the Navy Waves on Feb. 12, 1944, as part of her service during WWII; she attended Hunter College in New York City and Oklahoma College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Thelma served as a Yeoman Second class Petty Officer at Great Lakes Training Center, Chicago, Ill., in the Torpedo School, the Fleet Hometown News Center and then in discharges at the Great Lakes Training Center.

While Thelma was working at Cutler-Hammer, employees were encouraged to start a letter writing campaign with former employees that had enlisted in the military. Thelma met Melvin Kunick through this work-related effort as his pen pal. They fell in love, and married on August 14, 1944, in Milwaukee just days before Melvin was to depart for his final training prior to shipping out to Europe. Thelma received her Honorable Discharge in October 1945.

When the war was over, Melvin and Thelma settle in Colby, Wis. During her lifetime Thelma worked at JC Penneys, and Shopko. She became licensed as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and worked at St. Joseph's Hospital, the Colonial House in Colby, Wis., and the Continental Manor in Abbotsford, Wis. She served proudly as the Activity Director at the Continental Manor for a Number of years.

Thelma was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was involved with Bible study class, Vacation Bible School and confirmation class. Thelma sang with the church choir and was a member of the Hand Bell Ringer choir. She was on the Zion Lutheran school board, director of Evangelism, and held several offices in the Ladies Aid Society and the Sewing Circle as the secretary. She was an active supporter of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Thelma served on the Colby Library board and the Election Board. She was a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and served as a past president. Thelma had many hobbies. She was an avid reader, loved to sew, knit, crochet, and needlework. She made many lovely Afghans, quilts, and other craft items. She found great joy in making and sharing her afghans and other gifts with her family and friends. She would often display and sell her crafts at thrift sales for fundraisers at her church. Thelma is survived by a daughter, Kathy (Ron) Sonju, Sunnyvale, Calif. and three sons, John (Leni) Miami, Fla., Doug (Peggy), Eau Claire, and James (Ann), River Forest, Ill. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott, Eau Claire, Eric (Joya), Onalaska, and Jeffrey (fiancé Terese Schlais). She has four step-grandchildren, Anton and Sterling Avilez, Kristi and Sherri Roberts. She also has three great-step-grandchildren. Thelma is also survived by her partner and dear friend of fourteen years, Donald Clark, and his numerous caring stepchildren. She had many dear friends, who she loved and cherished, including Theo Ludwig, Margaret Willner, Min Bauer and Karen Penning.

Preceding Thelma in death was her beloved husband, Melvin; and her parents.

A special thanks to all of the wonderful staff at the Colonial Nursing Home and the medical staff at Marshfield Clinic and St. Joseph's Hospital.

Memorial services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 21, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby, with a one hour visitation preceding the funeral. Burial took place immediately thereafter at the Colby Cemetery where military honors were performed. Pallbearers were Scott Kunick, Eric Kunick, Jeffrey Kunick, Dave Bedroske, Theo Ludwig, Donald Viergutz and Gerald Viergutz. Visitation was at the Colby Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. All arrangements were handled by Maurina Community Funeral Home of Colby, Wis. There was a VFW Auxiliary service at 7 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, any donations can be directed to the Zion Lutheran Missions project of the (LWML) Lutheran Women's Mission League or the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, WI, Attn: Doctor Tomacz Okon.

Paid Obituary

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Sympathy notes:

My deepest sympathies to you on the loss of your mother. I know that she was loved and adored.

Karen Sturdevant - sturdevantk@watertown.k12.wi.us