Lynnetta Kay Wunsch

Lynnetta Kay Wunsch, age 71, transitioned from earthly life to eternal life on December 26, 2023. She was born January 31, 1952 in Akron, Colorado to Fred E. Koch, Jr., and Marrietta (nee Brown). She was very popular in high school and loved to dance. She was the Akron High School Homecoming Queen in the fall of 1967 and graduated in 1969. Later that year she began her studies as a cosmetologist at the Greeley Beauty School. After graduation in 1970, she moved to Fort Morgan where she first worked at the Bonne Rouge on Ensign Street and later at the Beaute Boutique on South Sherman Street with her dear friend, Rosalean Hadaway.

In August 1972 she met Rev. Ronald Wunsch. Their courtship was largely by postal mail because he had returned to Union Theological Seminary in New York City to complete his final year of study. On June 23, 1973 they were married at the First United Methodist Church in Akron. So began an adventure that would take her to many places in the United States and overseas as she followed and supported Ron in his ministry. They moved 14 times in the 50 years of their marriage. Later that fall, they returned to New York City where Ron was doing post-graduate study at Columbia University. This was a big step for a young lady who had been raised on a farm 15 miles from a town of several thousand to a city of eight million. Lynn worked as a beautician at Attameier’s Beauty Salon just off of Park Avenue. In spring 1974 they moved to Palisades Park, NJ and Lynn started working at the J C Penney Store in the Paramus Park Mall.

Next, they moved to Leetonia, OH where Lynn worked at the J C Penney Store in Salem, OH. She gave birth to her daughter, Rebecca Kay (Becky), while they lived in Salem. Shortly after that, she moved to Brush, CO and began working at the local Sears Catalog Store. Her son, William Fredrick, was born during this time.

In June 1982 Ron joined the US Army as a Chaplain and Lynn and the family followed him to his first assignment at Fort Riley, KS. Lynn thoroughly enjoyed being an Army Wife. She supported her children’s school activities and was involved in chapel events, and social functions. The next assignment was to Hanau, Germany. There Lynn became a Girl Scout Leader and took her troop on trips to Rome, Italy and to a Girl Scout Retreat Center called Our Chalet in Switzerland. Lynn became a Teacher’s Assistant at the children’s elementary school.

After moving to Fayetteville, NC, Lynn changed professions and became a pre-school teacher, first, at the Hayney School and, then, at the Child Development Center of Cape Fear Hospital. She continued as a pre-school teacher in Heidelberg, Germany and Fort Myer, VA. While there she earned her Child Development Certificate at Northern Virginia Community College. Everywhere she taught, her students loved her and the parents admired “Miss Lynn’s” wisdom and guidance.

After assignments at Fort Eustis, VA and Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Lynn and Ron returned to parish ministry in Lafayette, IN. They subsequently retired and moved to Longmont, CO.

At the various Army Posts, she was active in the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC). And, at the last civilian church, she led several Women’s Bible Study Groups and was the organizer and director of several Vacation Bible School events.

Lynn was blessed with a friendly personality and loved to visit with acquaintances and strangers alike. She was always a strong-willed, fiercely independent person, and staunch advocate for her children and husband. Lynn was very kind and generous, and exuded love to her students, colleagues, church members, and family. Unfortunately, Lynn also suffered for many years from a number of health ailments that wore her down physically and emotionally, though her friendliness, concern for others, and faith in Christ remained strong.

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Marrietta Koch.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald; a daughter, Rebecca Hershey (Aaron) of Firestone, CO; a son, William Wunsch (Lisa) of Chicago, IL; two grandsons, William and Andrew Hershey of Firestone and a granddaughter, Josie Lynn Wunsch of Chicago; and two brothers Duane Koch (Julie) of Otis and Delbert Koch (Jeannine) of Akron; and one sister, Karen Kissel (John) of Penrose and by many other nieces and nephews, and friends who loved her and who are blessed by having known her.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of the Peaks Care Center in Longmont for the genuineness of their professionalism and care during her several stays at the center.

There was a private service for the family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to the American Diabetes Association, either on-line or mail your donation to P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.