Karl Eugene Kunz, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Pocatello, Idaho, on January 13, 2026, following a short but hard-fought battle with brain cancer.

Karl was born on March 29, 1954, in Soda Springs, Idaho, to Thomas and VerJean Kunz, the eldest of four children. At the age of 14, Karl lost his father in a tragic car accident. Around that same time, the family had recently purchased a dairy farm, Karl and his brothers had no choice but to grow up fast. With some assistance from their Uncle Harvey, they helped their mother keep the farm running. Karl often recalled long days of milking cows, shoveling manure, and working summer jobs for just one dollar an hour—experiences that built the strong work ethic he carried his whole life.

Karl graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1972 and went on to attend ISU Diesel Trade School in Pocatello. He married in 1973, and the couple made their home in Georgetown, where Karl worked in Soda Springs at Stauffer Chemical and then Conda. They welcomed a daughter, Michelle, in 1976, followed by a son, Jeff, in 1977. Shortly thereafter, their relationship came to an end, and they went their separate ways.

Karl moved to Pocatello in 1979 and worked at Stauffer Wooley Valley and Western Road Machining before beginning his long career at Simplot in 1981. He spent 16 years in the Diesel Mobile Shop before returning to Georgetown in 1997 to care for his parents' home while they were serving a mission. During this time, Karl developed a close bond with his nephew, Jacob, as they spent countless hours together in the shop working on cars. Karl later returned to Pocatello, where he finished his career at Modern Machinery before retiring.

In 2007, Karl found his lifelong companion, Barb Horner. Together they shared many years filled with love, laughter, and adventures that meant the world to Karl.

Karl loved the outdoors, he enjoyed camping, sitting around the fire telling jokes, hunting, snowmobiling, attending car shows, side-by-side rides, huckleberry picking, and gardening.

Motorcycles, however, were his true passion. Over the years, Karl owned five Harleys and nine Hondas, rode to Sturgis four times, and put an estimated 150,000 miles on each bike. He competed in motorcycle rodeos for nearly 20 years, often riding one of the largest and heaviest bikes—and still beating most competitors. He brought home plenty of trophies and more than a few first-place finishes.

Another lifelong passion was his 1939 Chevy pickup truck, a love that began at age 14 when he purchased his first of three for just $50—earned the hard way.

Karl was a man of few words, but he loved his family and friends fiercely. His quiet strength, humor, and loyalty will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Karl was welcomed into heaven by his father, Thomas Kunz; his mother, VerJean Kunz Turner; his stepfather, Dennis Turner; his uncle, Bill Williams; his stepbrother, Vance Turner; and many others greeted him with open arms.

He is survived by his loving companion, Barbara Horner; his siblings Steven (Jeri) Kunz, Greg (Cindy) Kunz, Luana Kunz (the late Terry Leonard), Denise (Kevin) Forsberg, Virginia Murphy; his step-siblings Lorna (Fred) Zundel and Lonnie Turner; his children, Michelle Baker and Jeff Mielke; their children; and many nieces and nephews who all loved their Uncle Karl.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Georgetown, Idaho, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Karl will be laid to rest in the Georgetown Cemetery.

Funeral will be live streamed on Schwab Matthews Mortuary Facebook page.