Memorial
Matthew Michael Kunkle passed away at the age of 54, on August 8, 2024, after battling the challenges of an unexpected medical condition.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024,at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 11 A.M. Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel Stateroom, Wednesday August 14, 2024, from 4 to 7 P.M
Matt was born to Harold and Connie (Leahy) Kunkle on July 8, 1970, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1989 and attended the University of Northern Iowa. In 1995, he married his first wife, Nicole Mahan (Hayes), the mother of his beautiful children, Britney, Morgan, and Gabrielle. In 2008, Matt married the love of his life, his soulmate, Amy Sue (Riechmann) Reece, and he gained two amazing daughters, Ashlee Kendall (Reece) and Skye Reece.
Matt has a distinguished career in public service in both Fire and EMS. He joined the Cedar Rapids Fire Department in 1996, served as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and ended his career as a Captain and Critical Care Paramedic, and was a member of the Iowa Professional Firefighters Union, Local 11. Prior to joining the CRFD, Matt served his Cedar Falls community as a Paramedic, and took great joy and pride in helping those in his hometown. There are truly too many places to mention where he left his mark.
Matt was passionate about his family, his animals, his service to others, and of course his Mustangs. He lived to plan his next adventure with Amy; hiking, kayaking, exploring the National Parks, and just being present in God’s creation with those he so fiercely loved. Caring for animals and ghost hunting with Britney, cooking or going out to eat with Morgan, teaching Skye to change her brakes and work on her vehicles (he taught all of the girls as you know), and chats with Ashlee who was the pioneer teenager of the house. Matt loved taking his family on vacation; Disney, anywhere with deep history, the beach, and later in life…the mountains. Matt adored his grandkids; they were his pride and gave him great joy. Matt would laugh when he’d ask Hazel for some love and get a sassy, “No” in return, just for her to give in a minute later… he’d say, “boy does she belong to our family of females.” Matt spent every minute he could with his best little buddy in the world, Allen, AKA Bubba; they would play at Thomas Park where Allen would say to all of his new friends, “This is my Grandpa”. They’d search for trolls under the bridge or try to find Batman in the Wapsi caves and eat their favorite gourmet hotdogs at Sam’s Club.
Matt is survived by his loving wife, Amy Sue Kunkle of Anamosa, the children he adored and would do anything for, Britney Kunkle (Cedar Rapids ), Morgan Kunkle (Mt. Vernon), Ashlee (Dave) Kendall (Cedar Rapids), Skye Reece (Anamosa), grandchildren, Allen & Hazel, his parents, Harold and Lillian Kunkle, Connie and Ken Leahy, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents who he loved beyond measure, Gene and Betty Gabbard, and Bert and Geraldine Kunkle; his beautiful angel baby, Gabrielle Arlene Kunkle; cousin, Tamara Perkins, and uncle Bob Kunkle.
Matt’s family extends their sincere thanks and appreciation for the overwhelming amount of support, messages, phone calls, thoughts and especially prayers.
A special thank you to Matt’s aunt and uncle, Judi and Doug Perkins, for providing Matt with his final earthly resting place next to family.
May God send His Holy Spirit to give comfort and peace to all who knew and loved Matt during this unimaginable time of sorrow but remind us of the grace offered to those who trust in the Lord and call on the name of Jesus Christ.
Rest Easy Matt, We will take it from here.