Lila Kunze

Lila Kunze, 98, of Lewis, Iowa, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Lila Yvonne Mundorf was born at the family farm west of Griswold on June 14, 1927, to Clayton and Alice Virginia (Porter) Mundorf. She grew up as big sister to three brothers, on the farm north west of Lewis. From a young age, she learned that spending time with family was to be cherished and loved to visit her grandparents as often as she could. She chose to be baptized as a young girl and attended Lewis Church of Christ her entire life.

Lila graduated from Lewis High School and went on to take her Normal Training for her two-year certificate and taught country school for two years. One day, out of the blue, a handsome soldier appeared in her classroom and without a moment’s hesitation she announced, “Class dismissed!” It was her high school sweetheart, Rod Kunze, surprising her while home on leave and soon after they married on May 26, 1946. Together they had two children, Jennifer and Jeffrey. She jumped right into the role of farm wife and homemaker! She always had a large garden and did all the canning and baking that went with it. She raised chickens and sold eggs and over time accumulated a large collection of chicken keepsakes and knick-knacks. After Rod passed in 1989, she moved in to her grandparent’s home in Lewis, where she would reside for over 30 years.

She was involved in many volunteer and faith-based organizations throughout her life, including: Ladies Oakwood Association, Sew and So Club, the Library, Activity Center, Hospital Auxiliary and Election Boards, Federated Club, Happy Go Lucky Club, Priscilla Club, 4-H leadership, Red Hat Society, a number of Bible Studies and other activities too numerous to mention. Born on Flag Day, she was very patriotic all of her life and a strong Republican. A very good cook, she baked many a pie for her grandson’s restaurant in Lewis. One of her most solid personal routines was breakfast with friends at the local café.

Her love of travel spurred many a trip and she felt so blessed to have visited the Holy Land with her husband. She did not realize her dream of actually visiting her beloved New York Yankees stadium but was thrilled to see her team play in Kansas City. Antiquing . . .she loved it! Excursions with her girls, daughters and grandaughters, were a highlight! Lila was a huge Iowa Hawkeyes fan!

Reading was a passion for Lila and she devoured over 100 books per year for many years. Some of Jenni’s best childhood memories were the books she read to them growing up!

Lila loved her family very much and was especially fond of her grandkids! She is survived by her son, Jeff (Janis) Kunze of Farragut, Tennessee; daughter, Jennifer Theede of Lewis, grandchildren, Amy (Bill) Gamble of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Tonya Shaw of Farragut, Tennessee, Andrew (Kevin) Theede of Key West, Florida, Eric (Jamie) Kunze of Panora, Iowa, Aaron (Erin) Theede of Norwalk, Iowa, Adam (Abbey) Theede of Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Roman (Samantha) Gamble, Wren (Elijah) Bouwman, Logan Gamble, Jared (Taylor) Shaw, Tate Kunze, Taylor Kunze, Imre Theede, Avy Theede, Ezekiel Theede; great-great-grandchildren, Agustus and Zoey; sister-in-law, Jackie Mundorf, and many, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rod; son, John, in infancy; son-in-law, Greg Theede, great-grandson, Joseph Theede and great-great grandson Atticus Gamble; parents, Clayton and Virginia Mundorf; in-laws; brothers, Jim Mundorf, Bob Mundorf, John Mundorf; sisters-in-law, Jean Mundorf and Marilyn Mundorf, and many other beloved in-laws.

A visitation is planned for Monday, March 16, 10 a.m., at the Lewis Church of Christ in Lewis, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held immediately following, Monday, March 16, 11 a.m., also at the Lewis Church of Christ. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation or to the Oakwood Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lila's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.