Raymond P. Kuntz

Raymond P. Kuntz, 78, of Bismarck, North Dakota died on November 28, 2019 in Madison, WI.

Born on January 22, 1941 to Andrew and Veronica (Hoffman) Kuntz, Ray grew up in Mandan, ND, graduating from Mandan High School.

Ray married Doris LaVonne Traub on December 14, 1963 in Garrison, ND. They made their home in Bismarck where they raised two daughters, Kathryn and Karyn.

Ray spent the bulk of his career at Hedahl’s, first as a salesman and then working at Hedahl’s Tire Warehouse, later Main Street Tire. To many across the state he was the tire man—a source of good deals, common sense and terrific customer service.

Away from work Ray was an avid fisherman, a great storyteller and a loyal Twins and Vikings fan. Ray’s tales of his adventures outsmarting strict Catholic nuns were legendary and help explain why he was beloved by every kid who knew him. He was the school chaperone who taught kids silly songs on the bus, the favorite uncle who ‘helped’ young boys find their first arrowheads, the adult who never forgot how it felt to be a child.

Ray was resilient. Again and again he surprised medical professionals by healing faster and more thoroughly than anyone expected. He returned from death’s door to walk his granddaughter down the aisle—a feat he accomplished because, as he put it, he was “determined.”

Most of all, though, Ray loved his “girls”—his daughters, granddaughters and, most recently, his great-granddaughter, Zoey.

Ray is survived by his daughters Kathryn Kuntz (Henry Huemmer, Madison, Wisconsin) and Karyn Paul (Bismarck), his granddaughters Amanda White (Ryan, Bismarck, ND and Jessica Kindseth (Taylor, Bismarck, ND), his grandsons Andrew Huemmer (New York) and Eric Huemmer (Wisconsin), his great-granddaughter Zoey White and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris, his brothers John and George, his sisters Helen and Marion and his grandson Robert.