Faye Johnson Kunz, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to all returned to her Heavenly Father, surrounded by family, on December 16, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Faye was 90 years of age at the time of her death.

Faye and her twin sister, Fern, bounced into this world on April 3, 1934 to the surprised and proud parents, Bartell and Edna Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho. Faye was the fourth of four children to be born into this union. They were known as the Johnson twins by all. Not only were they twins, but they were best friends throughout life. They spent many days together as they raised their kids.  This gaggle of cousins were more like brothers and sisters than cousins. They were so lucky to have not just one mom but two.  

Growing up, Stringtown was home to them and a place where the Johnson girls learned the value of hard work. At an early age of 7, Faye, Fern, and their older sister, Darla were expected to help their parents pick strawberries and raspberries on their family patch. They also helped their father do many carpentry jobs. The girls knew how to use a hammer very well.  

Faye attended school in Georgetown for most of her school years. During the winter, they traveled to school in a sleigh pulled by their black mare named Beauty. There was no walking to school miles and miles, uphill both ways for the Johnson girls. At the end of Faye’s sophomore year, her beloved school was closed and she was forced to finish her high school years in Montpelier.

In 1950, Don Kunz and Doyle Lloyd, from Alton, Idaho entered The Johnson twins' lives.  The boys were lifelong neighbors and friends. The two couples double dated spending their courting days fishing, going to rodeos, movies and of course dances. The two inevitable romances bloomed. Fern was the first to get a ring and on April 1, 1951 Don and Faye announced their engagement, Faye was only 17 years old. In November of that same year they were married in the Logan LDS Temple. Don and Faye wasted no time starting a family. Four years later, Michael Don, Julie Faye, Debra, and Sally Ann had made their way to this union. Mom sure had her hands full.

They finally settled in Dingle where they built their home by their own hands. With the assistance of Faye’s father, Bartell Johnson. They worked side by side until their home was finished. They loved living in Dingle and said many times it was a great place to raise kids. However, in 1972,the railroad terminal was taken out of Montpelier and the family was forced to move to Pocatello in order for Don to keep his job. This was very hard for the twins, they had never been that far away from each other.  Don and Faye  lived in Pocatello until Don retired in 1990. At that time, they sold their home and moved back to Montpelier.  Once again they bought property, took out their hammers and with the help of family they built a home together where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Their kids thought they were crazy for taking on a task of building their home at their age, but they proved them wrong as they worked tirelessly to get it completed and moved into  their home in record time. 

Together again, Don and Faye bought property in Island Park and built a summer cabin. They loved spending time there cutting and hauling wood, fishing, riding snow machines, meeting friends, and dutch-oven cooking for the neighborhood parties. Most of all, they loved hosting their grandkids and family for weekend visits and adventures among the pine trees and the wildlife that roamed freely. 

Faye loved her children, but she always said that her grandchildren were her greatest blessings. She had a way to make each one of them feel special and her favorite. They loved being with her as much as she loved having them. 

Faye was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith never faulted; it grew stronger with each passing day. She held many callings but serving the youth was her favorite. She loved playing volleyball in a women’s league. Later in life, even though she was combating Macular Degeneration, she made and gave away over a hundred quilts, most of them for humanitarian efforts. She also enjoyed reading, cooking, and traveling to visit her children and especially her grandchildren.

Faye is survived by her three daughters, Julie (Kim) Lester of Carrollton, Texas, Debra (Dan) Keetch of Montpelier, Idaho and Sally (Duane) Merrill of Spring Creek, Nevada; 11 grandchildren and their spouses; 35 great grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Kunz, her son Michael Don Kunz, her great granddaughter, Myla Jill Keetch, her parents Bartell and Edna(Smart) Johnson, her brother Max Johnson, her sister Darla Johnson Wright, and her beloved twin sister, Fern Johnson Lloyd.

Faye’s loving counsel, kindness, care and generosity will be missed by many but none more than by her daughters and grandchildren.   

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:45 sharp at the Third Ward Church, services to follow at 11:00 followed  by interment in the Montpelier Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Faye’s requests that a donation be made at the Bear Lake Senior Center in her name.