Jesse Paul Kuenzi, age 37, New Glarus/Belleville, Wisconsin, passed away on December 18, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida, following a long, brave struggle with complications resulting from Friedreich's ataxia.
He was born on December 6, 1978 to Bruce and Betty (Brusveen) Kuenzi. He was homeschooled for two years before entering New Glarus Christian School, graduating in 1997. For many years, he and his brother had a lawn mowing business in the Village of New Glarus. He graduated in 2001 from Cedarville University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Multimedia Technology. Upon graduation, he decided to return home and begin his business, Accent Productions, producing video montages for weddings, retirements, birthdays and funerals.
Throughout his life, Jesse never complained about the heart defect, scoliosis, difficulty in walking and balance which led up to the Friedreich's ataxia diagnosis at the age of 15. This is a very rare disease affecting 1 in 50,000 people. It is an inherited disease caused by a defect in a gene and is recessive, which means it occurs only in someone who inherits two defective copies of the gene, one from each parent, who never knew they were carriers.
Jesse made friends very easily. He enjoyed many get-togethers, birthdays, holidays and other special events with his school friends and close family members and neighbors. Before the ataxia progressed he was able to play soccer and basketball, eventually becoming score keeper and sports reporter for the local newspaper. During his years at Cedarville University, he made many good friends who continued to keep in touch with him on a regular basis, even weekly, following the years at college. He was honored to be asked to be part of two of his best college friends' weddings.
He equally enjoyed quiet evenings at home and was an avid Green Bay Packers/Wisconsin Badgers fan and watched the games with his Dad. He loved to record movies and shows, especially Hallmark ones. He and his Mom enjoyed watching the Home & Family Show and many cooking shows and would often print out recipes for his Mom to make. He loved eggs for breakfast and pizza anytime and would work with his Mom to adjust recipes to make them healthier and lower in sodium to help control his heart failure.
By no means a total homebody, Jesse loved to travel and see different areas of the country. A travel trailer equipped with a wheelchair lift purchased by his Dad and Mom, enabled him to see every state except for three. He loved his country, especially the mountains and the beach. He was a patriotic American and believed in being involved in our country's political process.
Most importantly, faith played a big part in Jesse's life, having accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a very young age. This was evident in the many ways he touched the lives of those around him. As an example, when Jesse was in college, he sent an email home to his parents telling them he was taking a marriage and family course. He told them it was based on Dr. James Dobson's book, Dare to Discipline and that he had just spent several hours reading it. He told his Mom and Dad he would not trade the way he was raised for anything. Such is the stuff that every parent dreams of hearing.
Jesse is survived by his parents, Bruce and Betty, his brother, Josh (April) and niece and nephews, Gabe, Natalie, Asher, Owen and Noah. He was preceded in death by both sets of Grandparents.
Jesse, we have treasured each and every minute we had together and will deeply miss you. We love you and look forward to being reunited with you in heaven. You have been our sweet, strong and brave son and we have fought the good fight together. You have inspired us by the way you courageously lived your life. Love, Dad and Mom
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." I Thessalonians 4:16-17 As a young child, this is one of the first Bible verses Jesse learned. We firmly cling to its promises.
Memorials may be made in Jesse Kuenzi's name to the National Ataxia Foundation designated for Friedreich's ataxia research, 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752 or Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051
A memorial service in Jesse's honor is being planned by Jesse's Mom and Dad for Spring 2016, a season of new life.
You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com.
Clary-Glenn Freeport Chapel Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.