Tamara "Tammy" (Dehaan) Kunze

Tamara “Tammy” Lyn (DeHaan) Kunze was born on September 3, 1961 to Donald and Therese (Grace) DeHaan in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She then moved with her family to Marcus, Cherokee, and finally settled down in Hawarden, Iowa. During her time in school, Tammy was a cheerleader, played on the volleyball team, and was a member of the golf team. She graduated from West Sioux High School in 1980. Following graduation, she attended Western Iowa Tech to further her education. Tammy was then married to Steve Kunze, and to this union, the couple was blessed with their three children: Sonja, Josh, and Ethan. Soon after her graduation from college, she began working for Billion Motors in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tammy truly enjoyed the 30+ years she worked there and made lifelong friends at Billion. Tammy moved in with Scott Monger on his farm near Jasper, Minnesota and the two enjoyed many years of companionship. As Tammy’s health began to decline, she was moved to the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Tammy died there peacefully at the age of 57 years, ten months, and 22 days.

Tammy was an individual that loved to live life to the fullest. She took every opportunity she could to spend time with the ones she cherished; she loved spending time with her grandchildren, Maddyson, Avery and Hadlee and treasured her special bond with her granddaughter, Maddyson, whom she took on rides with her in the side by side and took many selfies with, gardening with Scott’s dad, Menferd, or bringing her dogs, Jadye, Odin, and Tucker, on walks or to swim. Tammy enjoyed playing golf on the weekends and also making her “hot salsa” from the garden. One of her great joys was spending time with Scott, going on slow rides around the country side and laughing together every day. She will always be remembered for her kind heart and love for others.

She is lovingly remembered by her significant other, Scott; her children, Sonja (Brant Johnson) Kunze of Brandon, South Dakota, Josh Kunze of Jasper, and Ethan Kunze of Jasper; Scott’s children, Nicole (Chris) Morey of Brandon, Abby (Allen King) Monger of Sioux Falls, Amanda Monger of Nashville, Tennessee, Nate (fiancée, Abby Kolar) Monger of Yankton, South Dakota; grandchildren, Maddyson Johnson, Avery Morey, and Hadlee Morey; her mother, Therese DeHaan of Hawarden; her siblings, Patty Hackett of Sioux Falls, Jackie (Greg) Thompson of Hawarden, Doug (Renee) DeHaan of Le Mars, Iowa, and Kathy (Brian) Brodie of Sioux Falls; Scott’s siblings, Kris (Steve) Frerk, Lynn (Duane) Yurek, Tammy (Bill) Allcox, and Keith Matthiesen; many nieces and nephews; and many other loving friends and family members. Tammy is preceded in death by her father, Donald; Charles Thompson; Scott’s sister, Sonny Matthiesen; and Scott’s father, Menferd Monger.