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Steven Neal Kuenzel, 66, of Mayer, MN, passed away Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Auburn Home in Waconia, MN.
A funeral service took place Friday, May 5, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church (121 Bluejay Ave.) in Mayer, with Rev. Adam Gless as officiant.
Visitation took place Thursday May 4, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Friday one hour prior to the service, all at the church.
Steve was born Sept. 20, 1956, in Glencoe, MN, to Dennis and Sylvia (Lindquist) Kuenzel.
He was baptized Oct. 14, 1956, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN, and confirmed in his faith May 17, 1970, also at St. Mark’s.
He graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School in the class of 1974.
Steve was united in marriage with Judie Hilgers Sept. 3, 1983, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waconia. They enjoyed 32 years of marriage until Judie’s passing in 2016 due to breast cancer.
He became “twice blessed” when he married Mary Hamilton Jan. 19, 2018, in Chaska, MN.
Steve had taken various jobs until he was hired by the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. He had this position for 24 years before retiring at the end of 2017. It took him zero days to adjust to retirement.
In retirement, he accepted a part-time job at Mackenthun’s Fine Foods in Waconia as a “customer happiness professional” (expert bagger and customer greeter). This was his favorite job . . . he loved it.
Steve was a loving and faithful husband, and a devoted father and grandfather. His hobbies included reading, enjoying his deck on a sunny day, enjoying taking care of his yard, and having things look “just so.”
He loved to cook and was talented in putting together whatever was in the refrigerator to create a fabulous meal. Baking and desserts were some of his favorites. He did all the cooking in their home and referred to Mary as “Queen Mary.” Yes, Steve definitely spoiled her.
Steve was preceded in death by his first wife, Judie; parents, Dennis and Sylvia Kuenzel; father-in-law, Jim Hilgers; and father and mother-in-law, Jack and Joyce Deane.
Steve is survived by his loving family: his wife, Mary; children, Abby (Mike) Sultvedt, Megan (Peter) Arneson, and Stephanie (Zach) Gramstad; bonus children, Josh (Sharon) Hamilton and Isaac (Trisha) Hamilton; grandchildren, Matthew, Eli, Oskar, and Jonas; bonus grandchildren, Shelby, Vivian, Jared, Ethan, Emily, and Tyler; siblings, Sue (Don) Elwanger, Tom (Shirley) Kuenzel, and Philip (Malinda) Kuenzel; as well as many in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Steve fully trusted in the faithfulness of his Lord and Savior for his sure foundation and his gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
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