Joan Ruth Kuntz

Joan Ruth Kuntz, 87, died peacefully at home on March 14, 2025, after a short illness. She was born May 2, 1937, to Wilbur and Bernice Baumgartner of Hannibal, MO. She attended school in Hannibal and graduated from Hannibal High School in 1959. The class of ’59 was very close-knit, and she had many lifetime friends from that class.

Joan earned a BA in Education from Culver Stockton College in 1959. There she also met her future husband, Robert Kuntz. They were married in 1959. She taught physical Education classes at Peabody High School in Pittsburg, PA while her husband was in graduate School. 1962, they moved to Columbia, MO which was to become their permanent residence. She did move the family for an 18 month leave of absence to be with her husband in the Washington, D.C. area. They returned to Columbia in 1974.

Joan was an exceptional homemaker with her love and devotion for her family and with exceptional care for her granddaughters. Her interests outside the home were built around Fortnightly interest groups. She participated in Foods, Needlecrafters and Crafts groups. She took great joy in interacting with other members.

She is survived by her husband, two children: Deborah Houston (Don) of Columbia, MO, Kenneth Kuntz (Patti) of Tomahawk, WI, and granddaughters: Jessica Dunn (Matthew) of Tampa, FL, and Angela Hansen, (Trevor) of Westerville, OH.

Visitation will be from 2-3pm, Tuesday, March ,18 2025, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia. Private burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com