Louis R. Kunde, of Rapid City, died in Billings, Montana on Monday, June 10, 2019.

He was born at home in Hosmer, South Dakota on December 12, 1932 to Arthur L. and Ernestine (Stabbe) Kunde.

Louis grew up in Hosmer, graduating from Hosmer High School in 1950 and immediately joined the U. S. Army, being honorably discharged in 1953.

He married his childhood sweetheart, LaVerna Eisenbeisz on June 5, 1955 in Hosmer. They moved to Rapid City in 1955 where Louis graduated from Western Dakota Vocational School in Auto Body repair. He worked for the Rapid Chevrolet dealership in Rapid City for 25 years. He began working for Landstroms Black Hills Gold Creations in 1980 and retired from there after twenty years. Louis kept himself young by working with the young people he so enjoyed.

Louis was a member of the American Legion and the VFW where he was always ready to march in the color guard during parades.

His retirement was spent enjoying family and listening to classic country, though time spent with LaVerna traveling and going on cruises was what he loved.

Louis is survived by his wife, LaVerna, his children: Kerma (Michael) Yackley, Hermosa and Steve (Jill) Kunde, Rapid City, grandchildren; Michala (Michael) Macks, Rapid City, Allissa Yackley, Hermosa, Matthew (Kayla) Yackley, Hermosa, Jennifer (Steven) Fritch, Rapid City, Jessica (Mikhail) Nichols, Seattle, WA and Joshua Kunde, Rapid City, eleven great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter ­.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to services beginning at 9:00 on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at South Canyon Lutheran Church. Interment with military honors will be at 1:00pm at Black Hills National Cemetery.

A memorial will be established to Rushmore VFW Post 1273.

Friends may offer their condolences at www.osheimschmidt.com