Date of Death: February 27, 2024
Service Details
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. Friends may also meet with family beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Corey Church of the Nazarene, 10056 Water St., Three Rivers. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Associate Pastor Emily Compton officiating. He will be laid to rest in Poe’s Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Graden J. Kundert, age 90, passed away peacefully during the morning of Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 14, 1933 in Three Rivers in his family home. Graden was the son of John Henry and Velma Winnefred “Winnie” Kundert. He attended Ferguson School for Elementary and later graduated from Three Rivers High School Class of 1951. While in High School, Graden was a part of the first baseball team.
Graden married Beverly Jean Nichols on August 28, 1955, at Ninth Street Methodist Church. Together they had two children, Pamela and Sherrie.
Graden was a farmer for all of his life. He was also employed by Three Rivers Community Schools as a bus driver for 20 years. He could often be heard going by the name “Wally” while being a bus driver.
In his spare time, Graden enjoyed hours of gardening, hunting, and fishing. In addition, Graden and Beverly spent years as snowbirds in Florida as well as mushroom hunting in Mesick. Graden also spent years staying at the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds. Playing Euchre and being a member of the Eagles and Fraternal Order of Police are other activities Graden enjoyed.
After retirement and in his later years, Graden could be seen cheering on his grandchildren at sporting events as well as his great grandchildren.
Graden was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Beverly; two daughters Pamela Timm (Fred Warnement) and Sherrie Holden (Jeff); Grandchildren Melissa Frye (Nick), Justin Holden (Samantha), Melinda “Mindy” Timm (Patrick Buffin), Jessica Rifenberg (Connor), and Chantelle Loose (Jason); and great grandchildren Wyatt and Kennedy Frye, Maddie Rose, Cullen and Annabelle Holden, and Rayna Rifenberg.
A special thank you goes out to Hospice Services, especially Bob and Kim.
Additional Information
Donations in honor of Graden can be made to Corey Church of the Nazarene or Three Rivers Little League. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Dearest Beverly and Family, We just read that Graden has passed and saddens our hearts for your loss of a wonderful husband, father, family man and friend. He was so much fun when we camped together and other special occasions. Graden always referred to Randy as the CHIEF. That still always makes us smile . We know he will be missed by so many people and most of all you Beverly and Family. We have always had so much respect for the both of you . Our deepest sympathy , Randy and Phyllis Hall
My heart goes out to the family! While I wasn’t fortunate to have Mr. Kundert as my bus driver, I did have Mrs. Kundert and both were so loving. My prayers go out to all of the family!
Such a dear man. I still can remember his first day on our elementary bus route, after taking over for Mrs. Jacobs. He was driving bus #13. Such a small old bus for so many kids. Not long after he was given bus #14. I was so bummed that he was not going to be my bus driver anymore when starting junior high/high school. What a positive and lasting impact he has left on so many lives riding on his bus. He always said, “G-mornin!” to each child everyday and, “So long Clyde” after we’d say good-bye “Wally.”
Graden was my bus driver when I was in grade school and you didn’t miss behave on his bus, but he was the nicest and most sincere person! I always thought of him as very tough, but genuine man…. A MANS MAN! I Was always intrigued by how he shifted that buses manual transmission with his hand that he said was damaged in a “combine accident “! Always thought, “that’s one tough dude”!!
I remember riding with Dad and he stopped by Graden’s and Bev’s place to see how they were doing, while I “patiently” waited in the truck. My heartfelt condolences to Bev, Sherry, and Pam, and the rest of the family. He will be missed by many more. You are in my prayers.
I am so sorry to lear of his passing. Wow 68 years of marriage what an accomplishment among all of his others in life. Always an acknowledgement along with that never ending smile when seeing he and Bev. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. “ Death ends a life;But not a relationship.” Hugs
Remember, all the wonderful memories that you and your family have shared with your dad and grandfather. Take care hold each other close.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Kunderts passing. He was such a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Melissa & family & Sherrie & family, my prayers go out to you & the rest of the family & friends of this marvelous man of God. I pray that your pain will be lessened by knowing what great memories you have of him & his love for all of you.
Very sorry to hear of Gradens passing. Spent many days on his farm as a young man. Great memories.
My condolences 🙏 go out to entire family. God Bless all of you.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Graden. He was a truly wonderful man and I enjoyed his and Bev’s conversations and friendship for many years. He will be sorely missed. My true condolences to his family. May God keep and rest his soul.
If you were lucky enough to have Mr Kundert as your bus driver then you had the coolest of cool of any bus driver. He had a way of making the trip to and from Lake Section ( Norton) fun. Was it his blue hat that he had rolled up ? Was it playing musical chairs ? Was it going fast over the bump on Mt Zion road ? Was it him playing the radio ? Was it his ability to handle bus 14 and bus 32 ? It was all of that and then some. My condolences to his family and THANKS Wally for keeping all of us safe. Rest In Peace Mr Kundert
I was very sad to hear of Graden’s passing. He was a great individual with a lust for life! I can always remember having Graden as a bus driver for me as a player and later as a coach at Three Rivers. He always got us there on time and back home without any issues. I also remember the many conversations we had on the bus discussing farming, baseball, kids and life with his signature toothpick in his mouth. He always showed love for every person he came in contact with and everyone that got to know him, had love for such a great individual. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Bev and to his children. He will surely be missed by many.
Rest in peace Graden. Graden and his wife were customers of mine when I had the army store. I always enjoyed them when they came in. Graden was funny and a really nice guy. It always saddens me to see nice people in the obituaries. To his wife please accept my sincere condolences.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Graden and wish to send Condolences to the family .
Deepest sympathy to the family. I have many happy and fun memories of our time spent with Bev and Graden, playing cards and just having a great time. Rest well old friend. Maybe you, Tim and Herb can get a euchre game going in heaven.
Linda Towles