Obituary of Barbara Jean Kuenne Olson

Barbara (Barb) Jean Kuenne Olson had a peaceful “home-going” on April 4th, 2023 at the age of 82. Barb was born Barbara Jean Kuenne on January 7, 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Kuno Robert Kuenne and Florence Martha Gnatzig Kuenne. She had three brothers: Thomas, Richard and Russell.

Barb spent her first 13 years in Oconomowoc, WI followed by 9 years in Whittier, CA where she graduated from high school. Barb moved to Minneapolis in 1965 and met her friend Teresa Kunze. The two biked through Germany where they found jobs and stayed a year. This was one of her fondest life experiences. Upon their return to Minneapolis, Barb married Teresa's brother, John Robert Kunze, on December 30, 1967. Four children were born to them: Mark, Robin, Gregory and April Joy. They lived in Mound, St. Bonifacius, and Peterson, MN. Barb & John divorced on Nov 13, 1984. John died July 21, 2005.

Barb and the kids moved to Watertown in 1984. Barb was a dedicated mother, prioritizing her kids (and later grandkids) in so many meaningful ways. Trinity became their church home where she was very involved in the music program including playing the organ and bells as well as singing in the choir. During her career, Barb worked at Cargill, then at Bremer Bank as a loan officer while raising the kids, and finally at Food Producers International. She coordinated multiple shipments of donated clothing to a Russian orphanage from 1992-2004. This was one of many examples of Barb’s generous spirit, helping those in need & coordinating activities to raise money and awareness for causes dear to her heart.

In 1992 Luda Fyodorova and Tatyana Choolkova, both 16, came from Russia as foreign students & joined their family. Luda returned to Russia in 1995 and Tatyana (Taty) completed college & has remained in the USA becoming an integral part of the Kunze family.

On April 24, 1999 Barbara Jean Kunze married Norman Ingebreth Olson, a widower and retired ELCA Lutheran Pastor. Norm and his first wife Nellie had 4 children: David, Miriam, Daniel and John. Together they have 9 children, 14 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren.

Barb & Norm moved from Watertown to Plymouth in November, 2006 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They joined Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Plymouth where she continued to use her gifts of music by singing in the choir. They also supported many charities throughout their marriage and beyond. She knit hundreds of hats for families at a reservation in SD and sewed dozens of quilts for those in need. Sharing her gifts and serving others was one of her most fundamental values.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church (12235 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN). Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church (513 Madison St SE, Watertown, MN 55388). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Common Hope (https://www.commonhope.org/).

Barbara is survived by:

Son: Mark Kunze, wife Janell and children: Andrew Stello, Dakota and Devin Weiland, grandchild Lavanna Weiland.

Son: Gregory Kunze, wife April Maree & children: Adriana, Ethan and Nina.

Daughter: Robin Kunze, husband Steve Raymond, daughters Zoe and Pearl.

Daughter: April Joy Kunze Mendez.

Daughter: Tatyana Choolkova

Step son: David Olson

Step son: Daniel Sunde, wife Annie, children: Jerusha and Joseph (wife Moriah), grandchildren Josiah, Lucia, Isaiah and Elijah

Step son: John Sunde, wife Christina, children: Violet and Rolf

Step daughter: Miriam Stenshoel, husband Peter, children: Dariya and Alex

Brother: Richard Kuenne

Brother: Russell Kuenne

Sister-in-law: Barbara Gayle Kuenne

Nephew Kurt Kuenne & Niece Heather (Kuenne) Peters & family

Barbara was preceded in death by:

Parents: Kuno Robert Kuenne July 28,1957 & Florence Martha Gnatzig Kuenne Lehman - August 3, 1983

Husband: Norman Ingebreth Olson – June 25, 2020

Brother: Tom Robert Kuenne – May 6th, 2014