MAXWELL KUNKEL

Maxwell William Kunkel, 30 years old of West Fargo, ND, passed away Friday morning, Nov. 16, 2018 at his home with his parents and friends at his side after battling cancer.

Max was born to Micky and Cindy (Romfo) Kunkel at Desert Samaritan, Mesa, AZ, July 29, 1988.  He came home on a hot day of 117 degrees.  This was a sign of things to come because he was only home two hours and the AC quit  -- of course it was a Sunday so he was off to a good start (of breaking things). 

He learned to swim before he could walk just like his brother and sister did.   This stayed with him all his life, he loved the water.  Swimming, fishing, golf, riding bike and snowcatting were his favorite outside activities.  He thought he was Tiger Woods.  He also loved going to the races and watching NASCAR on TV.  His favorite time of the day back then was 6:00, because that was time to go the driving range an hit a bucket of balls.  The weekends where he go camping and fishing on the Party Barge at Sajuato Lake which he talked about the rest of his life.

He was full of life and always ready with a smile.   He had twinkle in his eye although sometimes it was from his evil twin.  Max tried his luck at driving but it didn't work out so well, he wrapped the sand buggy around a big rock and the dentist stitched his face back together.  Before moving to North Dakota, Max visited this same dentist so he could see how well his face had healed, scars never showed.

Max moved to North Dakota in 2001 attending school in Edmore, ND.  Later he moved to the Open Door Group Home in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School.  After graduation he moved to Grafton for three years. He and four of the boys from Grafton moved into a brand new group home, Red River Human Services in West Fargo. 

He enjoyed spending time in Hannaford with his Dad and all his friends including the wonderful staff at his group home who took such good care of him.

Max was a joy and gift to anyone who spent time with him.  Especially if they brought him a magazine or took him for a car ride.  

He is survived by his parents, sister; Kasey (Trevor) McAllister, nieces; Everett and Emery, brother; Chase Kunkel, all of Ft. Mohave, AZ and brother; Dakota Neer, Phoenix, AZ.  Grandmothers; Sheri Romfo, Langdon, ND, and great grandmother Esther Krumwiede, Rolla, ND, many aunts, uncles and cousins and everyone who took such good care of him at the group home..

He was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Marie and Gayland Kunkel, Willis Romfo, uncle Allen Shock and niece Ember McAllister.

Max has left us too soon.  He will live on in the minds and hearts of everyone who loved him.

There will be a Celebration of Life, Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 2:00 pm in Faith Lutheran Church, Hannaford, ND.